Poverty policies, prevention and help?

Question

I am writing a political position paper on Underdevelopment and poverty. I need resources to learn more about what countries are doing to fight poverty in different countries, if anything. Policies, ideologies, etc.

Thanks, I'm having a lot of trouble finding resources on this subject, so any help would be great.

Answer 1

Good starting point here: http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Poverty.asp

Global poverty is a complex issue with lots of interconnecting strands.

I would suggest researching:
- Structural Adjustment (World Bank and IMF)
- Free trade vs Fair trade/ inequalities of trade rules/ trade justice
- International Debt + debt relief
- Corruption - INCLUDING the role of rich countries and multinationals
- The contribution of the global arms trade towards poverty
- Short term vs long term aid

Suggested reading:
- Globalization and Its Discontents - Joseph E. Stiglitz
- The Age of Consent - George Monbiot
- Development as Freedom - Amartya Sen
- Making Globalization Work: The Next Steps to Global Justice - Joseph E. Stiglitz
- The End of Poverty: How We Can Make It Happen in Our Lifetime - Jeffrey Sachs
- The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good - William Russell Easterly

Answer 2

Write about the liberal model to end poverty. They call it "the War on Poverty." We've been fighting it for 30 years and haven't moved an inch. It mostly involves taking money from one group - those with money, and giving it to those who have no money - the poor. It doesn't work, maybe someday it will if we all could just give a little more.

Answer 3

BEST way to HELP the poor is to NOT be one of them.