Aid to the Absolutely Poor

Return to Ethics

Do we have an obligation to alleviate the poverty of the absolutely poor? If so, what is the basis of that obligation? What does it commit us to? If not, why not.

• The Singer and Sachs readings in the next week or so will provide some basic arguments to consider and critique.
  • This may be helpful, may not be. It provides a brief summary and response to Singer's ideas on aiding the absolute poor. [1] -Jordan Thurston
• This link is to an article done by the Guardian. The article includes some easy to read figures detailing the success/failures of the UN Millenium Development goals. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that this resource typically leans left. [2] - Sophie Oswald

Some research needs:

• Current information on the success / failure of the UN Millenium Development goals?
  • This is a table provided by the UN which shows development on each of the goals as of 2015. Very helpful for seeing relative progress. [3] -Jordan Thurston
  • An article in US News that summarizes and links to a study that argues that there has been no statistically significant evidence the the progress of the UN Millennium Goals had any real impact on improving the development process [4] - Alexa Salvador
• Trends in Absolute poverty. Who's in deep, who is getting out and why.
• Evidence of effectiveness in anti-poverty programs for absolute poverty.
• Some searches into "against giving" arguments, not just libertarian arguments against government giving.
  • This article gives some ethical arguments both for and against giving aid. It touches on issues of rights, fairness, justice, and utility. [5] -Megan Lantsberger