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For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

economist.com

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Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#21

Post by tfb »

hsshah wrote: post #5

Indeed. Couple of optimistic talks at TED that shows that on an 'average' it IS getting better. http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violen... http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_reveals_new_insights_o... However, the 24/7 news cycle drums up everything that is negative and hence most of "feel" that it is getting worse.

As much as I despise all of the negativity in the news, the optimistic part of me sees it as a way to shine light on the many things wrong with the world at present. While the news may be a bit of a downer, I believe the lasting effects of it are for the best.

When I learn of something terrible or even of a minor crime or injustice, the first thing that comes to my mind is along these lines: "There is obviously some ideal we're working towards, but the current system is inherently flawed; so what can I do to hack this system and make it better?"

Maybe someday we'll have the kinks worked out and will have managed to minimize the "bad" things happening throughout the world. And I believe the news will have ultimately played some role such improvements. The day we see more good news than bad will be a great day.

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#22

Post by mcnees287 »

nakkiel wrote: post #20

Their point is moot and I don't get their intention. They use figures from 2005 and 2008 so they can't legitimately try to relate the economic downturn to improvements in worldwide poverty.

They have good points. You must have missed econ 101.

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#23

Post by alexro »

ars wrote: post #11
thomasdavis wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find it disgusting that you could even try talk of capitalism in a good light. I'm sure citizens would also find it absolutely degrading.

Are you trolling or joking? Your profile indicates you are making good use of capitalism. And, supposing you are serious, what would you replace it with?

We hopefully find it rather soon. The modern form of investment bankers capitalism is not what should be considered the best of our ability as society.

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#25

Post by InclinedPlane »

alexro wrote: post #19
InclinedPlane wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your premise is faulty and following through on it could doom the poor of the world to continued poverty. First world consumption isn't something that's done at the expense of the 3rd world, it's something that sends money and skilled jobs to the developing world to help them bootstrap their way to wealth. Look at china, south korea, taiwan, etc. these countries have climbed out of 3rd world poverty by being "exploit…

Don't be so optimistic. The globalization project hasn't ended yet. Who will control the world is to be seen. And whether the nations will be left with the wealth they had acquired is as clear as the Libyan's future at the moment.

Don't be so vague, say what you mean, back it up with evidence.

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#26

Post by vibrunazo »

chmike wrote: post #12

All depends on the criteria of poverty. It is not just a question of money. It is a question of having access to food, water, safe shelter, security, medical assistance, ... Food and energy price is raising. Are the poor people catching on on these ? I doubt it.

> I doubt it.

Why exactly? We might not be anywhere near "good enough", but it seems dismissive to ignore it couldn't have been even worse before.

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#27

Post by [deleted] »

hsshah wrote: post #5

Indeed. Couple of optimistic talks at TED that shows that on an 'average' it IS getting better. http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violen... http://www.ted.com/talks/hans_rosling_reveals_new_insights_o... However, the 24/7 news cycle drums up everything that is negative and hence most of "feel" that it is getting worse.

[deleted]

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#28

Post by davidw »

lwhi wrote: post #24

I am not an economist, but thinking about this briefly .. could it be, the west needs to suffer economically for developing parts of the world to prosper? Are finite economics still relevant in the 21st century?

No. The economy is, by and large, not a zero sum game.

Otherwise, why are N billion people by and large better off than however many people there were 200 years ago?

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#29

Post by ma2rten »

I have been to Uganda a few years ago to work on a voluntary project. If you see numbers like the number of people living under $1 per day and you see the images on TV you come to think of people in Africa just as pitiful. However, I got the feeling that the people in Uganda are actually more happy than the people in Northern Europe. Maybe wealth is actually inversely correlated with happiness?

Re: For the first time ever, the number of poor people is declining everywhere

#30

Post by ekianjo »

kitsune_ wrote: post #18
ekianjo wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact that there are almost 10 billions people alive on this Earth prove otherwise. The population would not flourish if everyone was poor and starving. It's pretty obvious that the world is getting richer and the poors are getting richer no matter what the gap between the poors and the richs is. Now "poor" people in the US have internet access and mobile phones. Come on !

Last time I checked, the world population is at around 7 billion.

Well, we'll reach 10 billions in no time at the rate the world population is growing.
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