Paul Collier on Poverty and Growth

Alex,
The following should be taken with a shaker full of salt considering that I have not read the book yet or the review in First Things. That being said, how would you relate the statement of Jesus in Matthew 26:11, Mark 14:7, and John 12:8 with the desire to "completely eradicate poverty." I definitely believe that we are called to help the poor and other marginalized groups. However, whenever I read statements about completely eradicating poverty it makes me think that it flows more out of Western pragmatic "can do attitude" then from a biblically based commission. We in the Western world, especially Americans, love to finish a task. However, our pragmatic success is too often elevated as the end goal. I am all for us giving maximum amount of thought, analysis, and effort to help the poor, but I do not think that the goal should be stated as the complete eradication of the poor. This will not happen, at least not until the kingdom is completely consummated. Again, we (the church) must continue to give concerted effort to those who are living in poverty, but the call to help the poor does not seem to necessitate the complete elimination of the problem. In our desire to eradicate poverty entirely we may wind up "missing" one of the main purposes of the poor always being with us. There is more that could be said in regards to this, but due to the length of my response and the fact that I have not read the article or the book I will withhold further comments for now. Again, perhaps and hopefully the First Things review addresses some of these issues. Would appreciate your thoughts.

harold

Harold,

Though I cannot speak for Collier, I agree with your concern; poverty will not be entirely eradicated before Christ returns. So I changed the title of my blogpost. Thanks for the helpful push-back.

I posted on this book before (follow the link), and had a good interaction with Nick as to why this book peaked my interest. I am continuing to read it though I recognize Collier might not be a Christian.

There was a time magazine cover story a few years ago called "Making Poverty History". It argued (if memory serves) for a much more liberal, let's-just-distribute-resources approach then I think Collier endorses. I almost wonder if Collier was taking a dig at that title and that approach to fighting poverty. Maybe.

I quoted this paragraph mainly to highlight the dig at Cuba. People wanting to flee a country is a good sign the country is heading the wrong direction. Conversely, $ tends to flow into "emerging markets" where people think there will be economic growth (e.g., Brazil, Argentina). Like I said in my review of Grudem's business book, I think the only long-term solution to world poverty is business. I'm trying to get more educated on these issues.

Thanks,
Alex