How ‘Consuming Nations’ Should Stop Contributing to Worldwide Deprivation: A Concise Overview of Relevant Literature

Abstract

The terms “consuming nations” and “providing nations” distinguish between nations consuming more than their fair share of resources, and those providing resources on unfair terms. An overview and synthesis of 500 references, in various disciplines, suggests that (a) the actions of consuming nations have contributed, and continue to contribute, to deprivation in providing nations and (b) to stop contributing to this deprivation, consuming nations need to reform their policies. Consuming-nation governments are potentially violating the subsistence rights of residents of providing nations, and consuming-nation residents have a responsibility to work toward their governments taking the necessary action to end the violation.