11/19/2010

188.  Globalization? Education? Free-markets? Retrogression? Innovation? Developing countries? Technology? Dichotomy? Corruption? Empowerment? "Alter" or "Anti" Global? 

I have been studying global economics and how the developing world is trying to fit into this chaotic mess. I think the Indian physicist Vandana Shiva says it best: "Ending poverty requires knowing how poverty is created." There is a lot of information out there about the development debate and discerning what is correct is definitely a challenge. I believe technology for everyone like Friedman might suggest is not the answer. Nor is jumping on the bandwagon with Bono and fundraising money to hand to the impoverished. The detriment the US and EU have already caused for the plight of Africans, South Americans and some Asians is tremendous. Forcing communities or individuals into privatization and the free-market world causes more of a dichotomy between the wealthy and poor and exacerbates the very issue we are trying to solve. We need to listen to the people of these countries and not to those who are sitting in their executive office at the World Bank.  We need to stop "couching them (the impoverished) in pity" and help them "assume full control over their economic and political destiny." (Dambisa Moyo). We are not going to get anywhere unless we empower these individuals. So let's stop the hand-outs and help them grasp the many means and opportunities available to them for improving the quality of life.