Global Institutions are the Solution to Global Poverty

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Global institutions are seen to be the better solution to help prevent world poverty in developing nations. Indeed, two philosophers, Thomas Pogge and Andrew Kuper, agree with this view that global institutions are more suited to prevent world poverty than NGOs. The reason for this is that global institutions have better defined institutional structures. A global institution “is an organization with hierarchical structures, having departments and agencies assigned with specific tasks” (WTO). They generally generate internal resources for their operations. A non-governmental organization (NGO), on the other hand, is “a non-profit making organization, usually staffed by volunteers, that depends largely on donations and grants for its operations” (United Nations). In this essay, I will argue that Thomas Pogge and Andrew Kuper make a sound argument in favor of global institutions but are quite naïve in their view by not taking into consideration the fact that global institutions may indeed not be the best solution overall due to their inherent weaknesses. In fact, Lisa Fuller overturns their argument by pointing out that reformed non-governmental institutions can resolve world poverty with the right means.

Firstly, I will illustrate Pogge and Kuper’s argument in favor of global institutions and against non-governmental organizations, then I will show Fuller’s argument in favor of non-governmental organizations as she overturns Pogge and Kuper’s argument for global institutions, next I will illustrate which position will be more effective in poverty reduction.

One of the many consequences of globalization, global poverty, could be eradicated with the possible reform of global institutions, as they are better equipped in the long...

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...er countries, especially richer ones. If they continue to project their nationalistic aims, how would they move forward in morally solving world poverty in another country that has a different national aim from theirs? Non-governmental organizations are devoid of this nationalist view. Their aim is to help those in need and not what political or economic gains they can derive for themselves because member countries do not govern it.

Works Cited

Brooks, Thom. "Chapter 23 Poverty Relief, Global Institutions, and the Problem of Compliance." The Global Justice Reader. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub., 2008. 454-63.

"Welcome to the United Nations." Welcome to the United Nations: It's Your World. Web. 15 Mar. 2011. .

"WTO | About the Organization." World Trade Organization - Home Page. Web. 15 Mar. 2011.

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