Taylor Dalton

ECON-2010
Magnusson
12/6/14

Re: Global Poverty

Poverty has existed since the dawn of civilization; there is no absolute cure for it, but its effects
may be lessened through active decision-making. Global poverty can be alleviated in three potential
ways: First, the status of women must be elevated to that of men across all societies and their
continuing subjugation must end. Second would be to realize and expand the benefits of higher
education, especially to developing and impoverished nations. Third, national and international
governments must strive to end the political structures that protect corruption and allow for the
acquisition of gargantuan amounts of wealth at the expense of those living in poverty.

Elevating the global status of women is paramount to alleviating global poverty. The status of
women in many nations is such that many are able to serve as nothing more than mothers, caregivers,
and homemakers. Women are given these roles because of their heightened capabilities of compassion
and care. These attributes would themselves assist in alleviating global poverty through practices of
equity and fairness. While these services are noble in their own right, limiting the capacity of women to

contribute to society eliminates about half of the adult population and thus, they are an under-utilized
resource.
The status of women compared to that of men varies across culture, geography, religion, and
many other societal factors. These determinants must be adjusted or removed in order to elevate the
status of women. Although the cultural repercussions may be significant, the benefits gained through
the alleviation of global poverty would match or exceed them. Elevating the status of women would
provide opportunities for higher education, larger contribution to societys output, and growth of the
families total income.
The obstacles surrounding this endeavor are great and the traditions that reinforce the behavior
of discriminating against women often have existed for hundreds of years. Women gaining the same
status as men would alleviate global poverty simply through utilizing the traits that women are known
for (care for their families), and applying them to the full possibilities that society gives them. Women
gaining higher education or simply an occupation increases their chances of raising their total family
income.

A second option for assuaging the scope of global poverty is to promote the advantages of
higher education. Higher education, in almost all cases, can open doors to higher levels of income and
standards of living. Providing even a rudimentary education would greatly service the billions of illiterate
individuals with a less than eighth grade education. Building a path of education is necessary in
alleviating global poverty.
In industrialized nations, the demand for highly skilled laborers has increased. This is illustrated
in the rise of demand for such laborers in the U.S. since the 1970s. In many developing nations, the
demand is growing as well. This need for skilled labor presents an opportunity for impoverished peoples

in nations such as India, Mexico, and Iran. After gaining the proper education, millions of people could
contribute greatly to their society and reap the benefits of meeting a high demand. At every level of
building infrastructure, scientific exploration, or economic development well-educated individuals will
be needed.
An education can also be extended to better serve farmers in poor and developing nations.
Farmers can be taught how to increase yields and/or profits through better irrigation, nitrogen-enriched
fertilizer, and renewable energy. Increased yields means the farmer may be able to take some of his
produce to market and gain a profit from his labor. These simple gains from education can not only
improve global poverty, but they may also address food shortages likely to occur as the global
population grows and farmland shrinks (also a much better alternative to GMOs).
Superior farming techniques and higher education will increase the economic value of the
individuals suffering from poverty. The farmer with the best agricultural knowledge and infrastructure to
fit their geography can produce enough to live and then trade away in order to increase their income.
Educated individuals can sell their labor resource at a higher price than before and raise their income.
These individuals will create the infrastructure, protection of trade, and innovation that would assist
others in stepping out of poverty.

A third option to alleviate global poverty is to recognize and abolish any political structures that
protect corrupt activities, and allow for the accruement of gargantuan amounts of wealth at the
expense of those living in poverty. The resources for solving the global poverty problem are available to
us, but corruption and insufficient aid are a reality across all ranges of GDP and wealth distributions.
Appropriate levels of regulation and high degrees of transparency are a necessity in the case of
ending corruption. National and international governments would need the power and motivation to

address charges of corruption, and end any practice that leads to unfair advantages. For example, The
United States would need to widely recognize the extreme influence of special interest groups and/or
corporationsthat can generate millions of dollars in lobbying funds and political contributionsas
potential avenues of corruption.
Bringing an end to corruption would ensure the balance of the fair market system and bring a
much needed factor of improving the distribution of wealth/income to alleviating global poverty.

These three options are a few of many potentials for eliminating global poverty. The increased
status of women, the spread of education, and ending corruption would all contribute to lessening the
effects of poverty. Putting these choices into practice would result in a higher average total income for
families globally, ensuring that hey received proper nutrition, proper homes, and all basic necessities of
life.