How can we end poverty?

Wherever you are, whatever time it may be, you can see, hear, and feel poverty. It is one of aspect of our society that we’ve tried to eliminate but unfortunately, many have failed in doing so. It has been the talk of many because of its many implications in our lives. For others, it is a sign of injustice, a face of difference and a symbol of economic instability. When we say poverty, we immediately think of people who lacks in material things or the ability to live with all the necessities like food or shelter. But as I’ve read the book, I’ve realized that it has different meaning based on different factors that have caused it. There are the natural explanations, the cultural factor and also economical aspect. And by understanding these different aspects, many have taken into consideration these differences and made this as a stepping stone for creating a program that could eliminate poverty.

Due to globalization, ending poverty became an important issue because many have become aware of this phenomenon. Many have become more open to this different world from those that are living comfortably. It has also become evident that even countries that are considered rich have some part that is facing poverty. It also an important matter because in some way, the world is also divided with the implications of poverty. And I think because of the world becoming globalized, it is important to help and make all countries become developed and rich. It is visible nowadays, that powerful people are trying to lessen poverty in their own ways. They try to give money, build homes for the poor people and they even try to make use of their popularity to voice out their advocacy to the people. But even with so many attempts to diminish poverty, poverty hasn’t disappeared completely.

Of course, because of the notion that poverty is due to lack of materials and wealth, it is only practical to think of an economic solution which is economic growth. For example, here in the Philippines, because of the upcoming election many politicians main goal is to erase poverty. And their way of doing this is to commit the government to proper education, make more infrastructures and develop emergency relief. Because these three things are important aspects of the economy that can help people especially those that are poor to become attain a better life. But this is hard to achieve completely in the case of the Philippines because of the powerful people who make use of the poor for their own welfare. As said in the book, “the poor provide the laboring capacity that enables the rich to live forms of life more attentive to the compulsions of cultural globalization.” Meaning, the rich or those in power make use of the poor especially in businesses because the poor are more capable of doing hard labor.

But of course, we should also look at a different perspective. Like for example, some may say that poor people are poor because they lack the ability or the desire to do something to alleviate them from poverty. But if the environment or the economy doesn’t provide the market for the people to engage and use their skills, even if they have the capacity and want, they will still not be able to do something to improve their lives.

Even with so many resources and will to eliminate poverty, it is still an issue that’s still left unsolved. Personally, I think the main problem is that even if some are trying to come up with solutions to eradicate this issue, many are still more concern of their own power and wealth that they just try to resolve the problem in a short time but not entirely. I think it is important to remind those people especially those in power to get their values straight and try to think of others instead of their own interest. Maybe then, poverty will be completely eliminated all over the world.