four points on poverty
DESCRIPTION
In this speech, I make four points about poverty that you can read on the slides. These four simple points, when sufficiently explained, prompt an important and meaningful conversation about how we might address poverty around the world and in our own backyards.TRANSCRIPT
Presented to Crystal City Rotary ClubMay 7, 2014
Eric Meadewww.ericmeade.com
FOUR POINTS ABOUT GLOBAL POVERTY
Point #1:Poverty is
the default condition
of the human
species.
Point #2:Poverty is both objective and subjective.
Point #3:Poverty is complex.
Point #4:The system works.
Point #1:Poverty is the default condition of the human species.
THE CAUSES OF POVERTY
WarFamineDiseaseDeclining union influenceEconomic structuresLack of educationFathers leaving the familyDivorceTeenage pregnancyDomestic abuseEmployment abuseImmigrant statusMinority statusPrejudicePhysical and mental disabilityLoss of job
Low wage ratesHigh medical billsFraudOppressionTheftDisastersFiresFloodPoverty ImperativeLack of or inability to afford adequate health insuranceLack of awareness of government policyIndustrial changeApathyGreedOverpopulation
DictatorshipsRacismGlobalizationSocial FactorsHigh taxationHigh growth rate of populationLack of job opportunities in secondary sectorLack of land resourcesLack of industrializationOver dependence on agricultureInflationary pressureUnemploymentDrug abuseIncome inequalities
Source: “Causes of poverty.” Wikipedia.org.
Point #2:Poverty is both objective and subjective.
Hans Rosling’s “Gapminder” maps show the objective improvements in the human situation over recent years. See www.gapminder.org.
E2Impulsive
E3Self-protective
E4 ConformistE5 Self-aware
E6Conscientious
E7Individualistic
Coming soon:• E8
Autonomous• E9 Integrated
SUBJECTIVE DEVELOPMENT
Source: Meade, E. (2013, April). “The Tallest Man in the World: How to see beyond the cultural differences that complicate development.” Monthly Developments.
The proportion of a population at each stage of Loevinger’s model, likely shaped by:• Age structure• Living conditions• Historical and cultural patterns
EGO DEMOGRAPHICS
EXPLANATIONS OF POVERTY
• Macroeconomics: Poverty is a “trap”– Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion– Jeffrey Sachs, The End of Poverty
• Sociology: Poor people are lazy– Lawrence Mead, Beyond Entitlement
• Behavioral economics: Poor people’s behavior makes sense– Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo, Poor
Economics • Microeconomics: Economics works differently for
the poor– Charles H. Karelis, The Persistence of Poverty
EXPLANATIONS OF POVERTY
• People “accommodate” to poverty– John Kenneth Galbraith, The Nature of Mass
Poverty– Does Galbraith’s “refusal to accommodate”
correlate with Loevinger’s “Self-aware” stage?
Source: Meade, E. (2013, April). “The Tallest Man in the World: How to see beyond the cultural differences that complicate development.” Monthly Developments.
Point #3:Poverty is complex.
Sir Isaac Newton Pierre-Simon Laplace
Jared Diamond has pointed to the role of geography in shaping societal development over time.
Complex systems are highly sensitive to initial conditions.
Co-evolution: Changes in the objective environment prompt changes in subjective attitudes and behaviors.
Point #4:The system works.
Technological innovation
Urbanization Political integration
WHAT WORKS?
Education Learning (especially from crises or failure)
Compassion (presence)
WHAT WORKS?
