Blog Action Day 2008: Eliminating Poverty, Capitalist-Style

Poverty is a dirty word in most of the developed world. It’s easiest just not to think about it, because as soon as you do, as a mover and shaker in the business world, you can’t help but feel the need to come up with a solution. Due to the complexity of the issue, this self-imposed guilt-trip could take up all of your time.

It is a serious issue, though, and one that should be reduced or eliminated for many practical reasons. The most massive reason is that as the global level of wealth in the lowest economic classes goes up, everyone’s wealth goes up proportionately. That means a healthy and wealthy lower and middle class allows for an even healthier and wealthier upper class. Regardless of stereotypes to the contrary, the lower economic classes do not have to suffer in order for the rich to get richer.

Further, there is the issue of human rights and a spiral-effect that takes place when they are taken away. It may start out with a government and populace ignoring one group of people (in this case, the impoverished). But once it becomes socially acceptable to spit on one group of people, slowly another group will join the ranks. Then another. Then another. Before long, your own group may be among the socially downtrodden. Soon, you may not be able to exercise your ambition, earn what you deserve or change the world for the better no matter how hard you try. This has happened all throughout history, and any government can become oppressive so long as the will of the people grants it the right with apathy.

That being said, there are many things that the sustainable capitalist can do to make a difference in the third world and in the developed-but-neglected parts of the first world. These things will allow you to contribute to the snowball of poverty-ending actions, while at the same time keeping the cause from becoming a self-involved (and quixotic) life purpose.

First, if you’re a blogger, visit the Blog Action Day 2008 website, then write something that relates to your topic about the issue of poverty. This is good for the cause because it spreads more knowledge about poverty and the Blog Action Day mission, but it is also good for you, as you can then be added to their site directory and have an immediate point of reference with every other blogger that is participating.

Second, invest in third-world entrepreneurs at Kiva. Kiva is an absolutely incredible program that allows people from anywhere in the world to invest in startups and individuals in places like Cambodia, Togo and Uganda. There is a list of investment opportunities, showing the people who are applying for the investment, along with a description of their business, what they intend to do with the money, and the repayment terms. The concept is fantastic because there is little risk to the investor (the repayment rate is about 99.7%), it allows an investor to give a hand-up (as opposed to a hand-out) to the most-capable people around the world (which can lead to exponential growth in the area), and if you make a donation to Kiva (as opposed to making a loan to one of their users), your contribution is tax-deductible.

Third, join a cause-oriented social networking site. Through sites like Change.org, you can connect with individuals who support the same causes as you, including those who are trying to fight poverty. This is a great way to contribute to a cause while at the same time building your network of influential and motivated individuals (because there are few things that more clearly indicate that someone is competent and motivated than their efforts to change the world).

How are you working to eliminate poverty? Share your ideas by posting below.