Eliminating Global Poverty?

Question

There exists no single, silver bullet to take down this beast, but it will take a lot of ingenuity and hardwork. What are some ideas that you all have out there about tackling the issue of Global Poverty?
I realize there are many socio-political issues involved in this, so please refrain from bashing anyone in the process.

I'm seeing people say "export capitalism." How would you go about doing that?

now we're getting somewhere.
some good answers pouring in.
does anyone have a strategy they'd like to see implemented? A plan that, assuming no barriers, would give the poor a fighting chance?

Answer 1

We need to start exporting capitalism now. The U.S. is the only country in the world that truly have no "poor". Well OK we have less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the population that could be considered as living in poverty by global standards.
Freedom and free markets are the most compassionate means to end poverty. Giving money to others in the world doesn't work. Of the billions of dollars in aid sent to poor countries each year, only about 1% ends up where it is intended. The rest is stripped off by the thug dictators that rule the "poor".
Capitalism is the most compassionate economic system there is, and when combined with freedom, unleashes a drive in everyone to improve their lot in life.

Edit.
Technically you are right, we can't literally export capitalism.
But we can put political, economic, and resistance pressure on the thugs that are responsible for the vast majority of global poverty. Eventually, it comes down to the oppressed peoples of these nations saying enough is enough. It also is important to note that a majority of these poor countries live under Islamic law......which by nature keeps all living a couple of hundred years behind the rest of the civilized nations.

Edit 2
Elizibeth. There is no economic system that is more compasionate, offers more opportunity, is more fair, or more naturaly resistent to corruption than capitalism. The choices are few indeed. Communism or socialism are not compassionate, in fact they are quite the opposite. What other choices does that leave us with? Profit by it's nature breeds competition, which always improves the quality of whatever you are pursuing. But the problems in third word nations are not due to outside forces, they are due to the nature of the thugs that run them. In the U.S. as I said before, less than 1/2 of one percent of the population is poor as compared to the poor in other countries. There are three reasons for this. First and foremost, capitalism, and free markets. Secondly, the freedoms that we have allow us to pursue our dreams. Thirdly our Representative Republic form of government that still limits the power of a strong central federal government.
In the U.S. Living at the poverty line(sic) or below is a behavioral problem only, not a problem with our economic system, or social stucture. In the U.S. if you do the following you will not live in poverty(sic)
1) Get as much of an education as you can afford.
2)Once you have a job, keep it untill a better one comes along.
3)Don't have children out of wedlock.
4)Don't have children untill you can afford them.
5)Stay married until your children are raised.

Pretty simple huh. I don't mean this in a bad way, but your point of view is typical of someone who has spent their entire life in school, and then pursued a career in education......this may or may not be so in your case, but is typical of the type.
The problem with these types of people, is that they learn how they believe things are done, but never actualy learn how to do them.
There is nothing that makes you more alive, and is more motivating than understanding that whether you have a job next week depends on how good you work today.
Fyi, I have one Bachelors in B.A., and working slowly towards my second in P.T. all of this and employing 4 people year round in two businesses, and working 65-70 hours a week.......try it, you would like it, plus it shows just how wrong your two tiered theory is. History, and common sense says otherwise.......of course I hope you are different, but most highly educated people don't have the sense God gave a rock.

Answer 2

Whoa people, capitalism is what caused this huge divide in the first place!!!! The idea of capitalism is that everything is for private profit - the market economy. Capitalism relies on two groups of people, those who succeed and get rich, and those who fail and get poor. It has it's good points - it allows opportunity and encourages people to work hard - but all in all, capitalism means suppressing others to get ahead. I really recommend this short documentary - The Story of Stuff. A bit preachy, but a 20-minute overview of some of the follies associated with the effects of our market economy.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

I'm currently completing my masters in Women's Studies, and poverty is a major issue we address. One element I believe would be vital to alleviating poverty is the elimination of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund - serious restructuring and regulation. Countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, etc. borrow funds from the World Bank to help them build their economies. But by borrowing the funds, they end up signing over their autonomy and the World Bank gets to decide the repayment. Typically this gives the World Bank major say over the economy over that country. Imagine having VISA tell you how to pay back their bill and when. Seems crazy, doesn't it? In Brazil, The World Bank set up a debt repayment schedule so high they had to cut funding to education and healthcare. They would have been better off without the loan! The worst part, these organizations aren't run by the UN, rich businessmen head them. Do they particularly care if 40% of Brazil's children under 10 go to school? No. But they do care that they get their money back. It’s amazing what people will do for money.

I just am very thankful for everything I have.

Answer 3

Corrupt governments and poor leaders who care nothing about their people are the cause of poverty in many nations. Capitalism works well when it is balanced with laws that protect the workers. Developing nations should take this into consideration when they enter into industrialization. They don't because the corporations will just go somewhere else where there are no laws. I believe we should refuse to trade with countries who have no laws protecting labor and the environment. We need equal trade, not free trade.

Answer 4

I think the answer is a spiritual civil rights movement.

Most of the problems in the world, to certainly include global poverty, are caused by ideas that are incorrect but that are believed without questioning, like -

1) Human beings are separate from each other and that the actions of one do not affect others.

2) There is not enough of what humans need on the planet for them all to be happy.

3) To get the stuff of which there is not enough, humans need to complete with one another.

4) Some human beings are better than other human beings.

5) In order to resolve differences, it is OK for humans to kill one another.

This belief in scarcity and superiority is what leads to poverty. Humans who do not feel threatened by scarcity or power struggles are not afraid to share the wealth.

Humans who see that we are all connected want to share the wealth, because what is good for one is good for all.

Answer 5

*That's one thing on this Planet that will never happen. Jesus said "The poor will always be with you". How much money and food has been delivered to various parts of Africa,to no avail? How many troops have been and are now deployed there with out any meaningful gains? NONE!!
Don't bank on anything happening in the too near future.

Answer 6

You hit the nail on the head : ingenuity and hard work. But this must come from individual people, not from the government.

Answer 7

Spread democracy and freedom throughout the world. Those countries that aren't are the poorest; those countries that are are the richest. Feedom and democracy are the only way people can pull THEMSELVES out of poverty. It can not be bought by contributions.

Answer 8

Simple, accept it as a fact of life, and do what I can to avoid my family from poverty. Now get a few more billlon to repeat it......

Answer 9

Capitalism. It is already working. China, India, Vietnam, etc.... Business will continue to follow less fortunate countries, spreading wealth, driving more consumption, driving more depend, driving more jobs, driving more wealth creation that is spread across more people to supply increased demand.

Or you can continue sub-prime lending.

Answer 10

The rich elitist will never allow the poor to gain standing in the world because there control of the world would be hindered. It will never happen as universal healthcare will never happen!!!!! Damn rich!!! Where the hell is Robin Hood????