Caues of Poverty and My Thoughts

• Almost half the world, over 3 billion people, live on less than $2.50 a day.
• The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of the 40 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (566 million people) is less than the wealth of the world’s 7 richest people combined.
• Less than one percent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen.
• 1 billion children live in poverty (1 in 2 children in the world). 640 million live without adequate shelter, 400 million have no access to safe water, 270 million have no access to health services. 10.6 million died in 2003 before they reached the age of 5.

Poverty is the state for the majority of the world’s people and nations. Why is this? Is it enough to blame poor people for their own predicament? Have they been lazy, made poor decisions, and been solely responsible for their situation? What about their governments? Have they pursued policies that actually harm successful development? Such causes of poverty and inequality are no doubt real. But deeper and more global causes of poverty are often less discussed.
Behind the increasing interconnectedness promised by globalization are global decisions, policies, and practices. These are typically influenced, driven, or formulated by the rich and powerful. These can be leaders of rich countries or other global actors such as multinational corporations, institutions, and influential people.
In the face of such enormous external influence, the governments of poor nations and their people are often powerless. As a result, in the global context, a few get wealthy while the majority struggle.

I find this to be very disturbing. The fact that HALF THE WORLD lives in poverty is, in and of itself, a horrible thought to fathom. And who is to blame? The poor or the countries that lead them? Think about this the next time you are at the supermarket or shopping mall. I say this not to make you feel guilty but to make you thankful for the luxuries you have. I feel the governments around the world need to step up and do what is right for Their people not just themselves. These are my thoughts. Stay tuned for the next topic to come: War