Is ending world poverty a myth?
Yes, ending world poverty is a myth. As you have correctly stated, capitalism needs inequality to survive. Capitalism is a very cruel and destructive society, but the people who benefit from it also own the media, so they constantly tell us that everything is fine. Development is only defined along western capitalist lines. These undeveloped countries are probably culturally infinitely superior to the west, but unless there is a small number of people causing millions of their fellow country people genuine hardship with their possession of fantastic wealth, then that country is called under-developed or developing (which is the new term.) Aid comes at a cost. It has to be paid back (usually) with interest. Or it is tied, they are forced to spend the aid money in the country which has provided it. This leaves poorer nations paying off interest on their ‘aid’ with all the money that they can get from exports etc. The richest nations on this planet, have become dependant upon the interest
Aid will not be able to lift third world or ‘failed nations’ out of their poverty for many reasons. Often the main reasons is that corrupt leaders in the countrys syphon it off for their own use. Trade and the free market do create haves and have-nots but they do also create opportunities in a country for those who are motivated and able to go out a create wealth. Several previously poor countries have emerged as powerful new players in the world economy. They have done this through increased trade. The other side to this, unfortunately, is that with increased trade, industry and wealth we tend to find greater environmental degredation and so some areas may become more productive for a number of years before becoming depleted and exhausted and with their ability to produce food and clean water for the region deteriorated, therefore increasing poverty for a greater proportion of the population. The damage we in the west are causing by producing greenhouse gasses and stripping natural re
