Ethical Issues in Poverty Alleviation

Abstract

7.2 Ethics in€International Development. This book explores the philosophical, and in particular ethical, issues concerning the conceptualization, design and implementation of poverty alleviation measures from the local to the global level. It connects these topics with the ongoing debates on social and global justice, and asks what an ethical or normative philosophical perspective can add to the economic, political, and other social science approaches that dominate the main debates on poverty alleviation. Divided into four sections, the volume examines four areas of concern: the relation between human rights and poverty alleviation, the connection between development and poverty alleviation, poverty within affluent countries, and obligations of individuals in regard to global poverty. An impressive collection of essays by an international group of scholars on one of the most fundamental issues of our age. The authors consider crucial aspects of poverty alleviation: the role of human rights; the connection between development aid and the alleviation of poverty; how to think about poverty within affluent countries (particularly in Europe); and individual versus collective obligations to act to reduce poverty. Judith Lichtenberg Department of Philosophy Georgetown University This collection of essays is most welcome addition to the burgeoning treatments of poverty and inequality. What is most novel about this volume is its sustained and informed attention to the explicitly ethical aspects of poverty and poverty alleviation. What are the ethical merits and demerits of income poverty, multidimensional-capability poverty, and poverty as nonrecognition? How important is poverty alleviation in comparison to environmental protection and cultural preservation? Who or what should be agents responsible for reducing poverty? The editors concede that their volume is not the last word on these matters. But, these essays, eschewing value neutrality and a retreat into technical mastery, challenge us to find fresh and reasonable answers to these urgent questions. David A. Crocker School of Public Policy University of Maryland. About the Editors and Contributors; Editors; Contributors; Chapter 1: Ethical Issues in€Poverty Alleviation: Agents, Institutions and€Policies; 1.1 Introduction; 1.2 Defining Poverty and€Poverty Alleviation: Issues of€Multidimensionality, Complexity and€Ethics; 1.3 Normative Background Theories of€Poverty Alleviation: Human Rights, (Global) Justice, and€Humanitarian Aid; 1.4 Agents and€Institutions of€Poverty Alleviation: From€the€Individual to€the€Global Level; 1.5 Overview of€the€Book; References; Part I: Human Rights and Poverty Alleviation. Chapter 2: Are We€Violating the€Human Rights of€the€World's Poor?2.1 Introduction; 2.2 What Does It Mean to€Violate a€Human Right?; 2.2.1 Non-fulfillment; 2.2.2 Human Rights in€Relation to€Law and€Morality; 2.2.3 From Non-fulfillment to€Violation; 2.2.4 Human Rights and€Supranational Institutional Arrangements; 2.3 We Are Violating the€Human Rights of€the€World's Poor: The€Empirical Evidence; 2.3.1 Is Globalization Good for€the€Poor?; 2.3.2 Are the€Causes of€the€Persistence of€Poverty Purely Domestic?; 2.3.3 What Ought We€to€Do?; 2.4 Conclusion; References. Chapter 3: A Decent Social Minimum as€a€Matter of€Justice3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Equality of€Status or Distributive Equality?; 3.3 Essential Components of€a€Decent Social Minimum; 3.4 The Scope of€a€Decent Standard of€Living; 3.5 Conclusion; References; Human Rights Instruments; Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) General Comments; Chapter 4: Children's Rights, Bodily Integrity and€Poverty Alleviation; 4.1 Child Poverty and€the€Language of€Children's Rights; 4.2 Children Rights and€the€Capability Approach; 4.3 Bodily Integrity and€Child Poverty. 4.4 Poverty Alleviation and€Empowerment4.5 Conclusions; References; Part II: Poverty Alleviation and Development; Chapter 5: A Human Right to€Financial Inclusion; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Access to€or Usage of€Financial Services?; 5.3 The Human Right to€Financial Inclusion; 5.4 Financial Inclusion and€Individual Autonomy; 5.5 Financial Inclusion and€Other Human Rights; 5.5.1 Financial Inclusion and€the€Right to€an€Adequate Standard of€Living; 5.5.2 Financial Inclusion and€the€Right to€Development; 5.6 Conclusion; References. Chapter 6: Is Globalizing 'development' Ethical? A€View from€the€Pacific6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Evolving Development Paradigms; 6.2.1 The Contribution of€Amartya Sen; 6.3 The New Millennium Development Strategies; 6.3.1 MDG Strategies for€Poverty Alleviation and€Development; 6.4 Globalizing Development Fails the€Pacific; 6.4.1 PNG 'off track'?; 6.5 Ethical Dilemmas and€Challenges in€Re-articulating Global Development; 6.5.1 An MDG 'Report Card'; References; Chapter 7: Animals in€International Development, Ethics, Dilemmas and€Possibilities; 7.1 Introduction.