Africa vs. Asia
When one hears the word “poverty”, the first thing that comes into mind is Africa. Yet, more than half of the people in the world who live below poverty line are in Asia today. So why is there so little international effort towards poverty eradication in Asia?
It is difficult even to imagine that poverty in Asia may rival the one in Africa. After all, most of the least developed countries today are in Africa, with only a handful in Asia. China and India, which are a home to over half of the world population living below poverty line ($2 per day), are considered an emerging economic threat to the Western Nations.
Most of the Asian countries are considerable economic powers with high growth rates, whereas African nations are often the most impoverished and indebted. But according to some accounts, economic growth in Asia has not contributed to the alleviation of poverty – it has only widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
My question is not “why Africa?” It is “why not Asia?” Is it because there are other, more important, issues to discuss with countries, who have functioning economies and high export levels? Or is it because in the Asian case, non-intervention in the internal affairs of sovereign nations is an issue, whereas in Africa, it’s not quite so relevant?
My point is that Asian nations are sometimes confusing the right of a state to economic growth and prosperity with the right of their people to a decent living. Despite the many national efforts, they have not managed to deal with poverty at a level due to growing economic powers.
It is difficult even to imagine that poverty in Asia may rival the one in Africa. After all, most of the least developed countries today are in Africa, with only a handful in Asia. China and India, which are a home to over half of the world population living below poverty line ($2 per day), are considered an emerging economic threat to the Western Nations.
Most of the Asian countries are considerable economic powers with high growth rates, whereas African nations are often the most impoverished and indebted. But according to some accounts, economic growth in Asia has not contributed to the alleviation of poverty – it has only widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
My question is not “why Africa?” It is “why not Asia?” Is it because there are other, more important, issues to discuss with countries, who have functioning economies and high export levels? Or is it because in the Asian case, non-intervention in the internal affairs of sovereign nations is an issue, whereas in Africa, it’s not quite so relevant?
My point is that Asian nations are sometimes confusing the right of a state to economic growth and prosperity with the right of their people to a decent living. Despite the many national efforts, they have not managed to deal with poverty at a level due to growing economic powers.
posted by Kristina at 3:56 PM
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