From The Times
December 27, 2008
Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem - the crushing passivity of the people's mindset
Before Christmas I returned, after 45 years, to the country that as a boy I knew as Nyasaland. Today it's Malawi, and The Times Christmas Appeal includes a small British charity working there. Pump Aid helps rural communities to install a simple pump, letting people keep their village wells sealed and clean. I went to see this work.
It inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities. But travelling in Malawi refreshed another belief, too: one I've been trying to banish all my life, but an observation I've been unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God.
Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good. more
Monday, December 29, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
China raises poverty standards, 28 mln rural residents to benefit
www.chinaview.cn  2008-12-27 22:48:43 |   Print |
BEIJING, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government said Saturday it would expand coverage of its anti-poverty program in rural areas next year to include an additional 28.41 million residents. Fan Xiaojian, director of the Office for Poverty Alleviation and Development under the State Council, said rural residents with an annual per capita income of less than 1067 yuan (156 U.S. dollars) would begin to be covered in the country's poverty-relief program next year. Currently, the program only benefited rural residents with an annual per capita income of less than 786 yuan. China defined an annual income of less than 786 yuan as absolute poverty and an annual income of between 786 and 1067 yuan as low income. By the end of last year, the country had a rural population of 14.79 million living in absolute poverty. While the low-income rural population was 28.41 million. more |
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Book on Amartya Sen reviewed by C.T. Kurien
http://www.frontlineonnet.com/images/20090102252607401.jpg
Capabilities and social Justice: The Political Philosohy of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussabaum by John M. Alexander, Ashgate,Burlington, US, 2008. pages 187
..............
One of Amartya Sen’s greatest achievements has been to shift the focus of development from things to people, demonstrating the philosophical underpinnings of that shift. Sen did this by situating the development problematic in the discourse on the hoary theme of justice, going back to Socrates and Aristotle in the distant past and the utilitarians in the 19th century (Hume, Smith, Bentham, Mill), but revived in the second half of the past century primarily by John Rawls in his 1971 publication, A Theory of Justice.
What John Alexander attempts in this volume is to make a critical inquiry about the link between Sen’s approach to development and a theory of social justice. Being a student of philosophy and ethics, he approaches the theme from the perspective of justice. “A theory of justice,” he says at the outset, “cannot be tantamount to a theory of well-being. Judgments regarding claims of justice invariably acquire not only identifying and delineating certain aspects of well-being [i.e., development even in its broadest materialistic sense] but also finding the appropriate normative principles by which to treat people as equals in society.” What he finds significant in Sen is a “plural and public conception of justice intimately tied to democracy and public reasoning”.
................
In a series of writings, particularly Poverty and Famines (1981), Choice, Welfare and Measurement (1982), Commodities and Capabilities (1987), On Economic Inequalities (1997) and Development as Freedom (1999), Sen put forward his concept of human capabilities. He was ably supported by Martha Nussbaum, who also authored many studies on capabilities with a pronounced feminine perspective. Since the theme of John Alexander’s work is a critical evaluation of the contribution of the capabilities approach to social justice, a further scrutiny of the concept of capability as propounded by Sen and Nussbaum is necessary.
In relation to development, a distinctive departure emerged when the emphasis shifted from reaching essentially materialistic targets (the basic necessities of life, for instance) to what Sen has termed capabilities. John Alexander sums up Sen’s notion of capabilities as consisting of two interrelated elements: “First of all, it refers to capacities or powers of people as human beings: these can range from the most basic ones required to fulfil nutritional and health needs to more complex ones such as the exercise of practical reason and living with self-respect in a community. Secondly, it refers to the opportunities that people have to nurture and exercise their capacities; indeed, people’s capacities can be enhanced or hampered depending on the opportunities they face in their familial, social and political circumstances.”
The capabilities approach, thus, shifts the concept of development to a larger and even higher realm. It may appear that in that process the whole development concept has been made rather fussy, but the now widely used Human Development Index (HDI) shows that it need not be so. But that is going out of the main theme of John Alexander’s book. However, one of his keen observations is relevant here. He says: “Sen was indeed perceptive to point that poverty is relative in terms of resources and absolute in terms of capabilities.”
.................
While, in a sense, Rawls’ theory of justice and the capability approach have much in common (when the two are set against utilitarianism, for instance) and may be thought of as “first cousins” as John Alexander says, the major criticism that Sen and Nussbaum have against Rawls is that he only lists (some) conditions necessary for a just society, but does not indicate how such a society is to be achieved and the crucial role of people in specifying it and working towards it.
One aspect that the capability approach stresses is the importance of the “agency” of persons in deciding on the nature of the social order they deem desirable. It, therefore, advocates a reciprocal view of responsibility and emphasises the interdependence between the individual and the social order. It is for this reason that Sen considers public discussion and a democratic polity as crucial aspects of a just society. They not only help to identify people’s elementary needs, but are also influential in the construction of social values such as justice, respect and solidarity.
There is much more in John Alexander’s stimulating book. It is readily conceded that the theme he deals with is not everybody’s cup of tea. But for those who wish to become acquainted with the pioneering work of some of the leading intellectuals of our time on themes of everyday life on the one hand, but of deeply philosophical nature on the other, I strongly recommend this book. John Alexander sets out to summarise difficult arguments, to make comparisons of different perspectives and to synthesise divergent approaches. And he has greatly succeeded in his effort.
read it all
Capabilities and social Justice: The Political Philosohy of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussabaum by John M. Alexander, Ashgate,Burlington, US, 2008. pages 187
..............
One of Amartya Sen’s greatest achievements has been to shift the focus of development from things to people, demonstrating the philosophical underpinnings of that shift. Sen did this by situating the development problematic in the discourse on the hoary theme of justice, going back to Socrates and Aristotle in the distant past and the utilitarians in the 19th century (Hume, Smith, Bentham, Mill), but revived in the second half of the past century primarily by John Rawls in his 1971 publication, A Theory of Justice.
What John Alexander attempts in this volume is to make a critical inquiry about the link between Sen’s approach to development and a theory of social justice. Being a student of philosophy and ethics, he approaches the theme from the perspective of justice. “A theory of justice,” he says at the outset, “cannot be tantamount to a theory of well-being. Judgments regarding claims of justice invariably acquire not only identifying and delineating certain aspects of well-being [i.e., development even in its broadest materialistic sense] but also finding the appropriate normative principles by which to treat people as equals in society.” What he finds significant in Sen is a “plural and public conception of justice intimately tied to democracy and public reasoning”.
................
In a series of writings, particularly Poverty and Famines (1981), Choice, Welfare and Measurement (1982), Commodities and Capabilities (1987), On Economic Inequalities (1997) and Development as Freedom (1999), Sen put forward his concept of human capabilities. He was ably supported by Martha Nussbaum, who also authored many studies on capabilities with a pronounced feminine perspective. Since the theme of John Alexander’s work is a critical evaluation of the contribution of the capabilities approach to social justice, a further scrutiny of the concept of capability as propounded by Sen and Nussbaum is necessary.
In relation to development, a distinctive departure emerged when the emphasis shifted from reaching essentially materialistic targets (the basic necessities of life, for instance) to what Sen has termed capabilities. John Alexander sums up Sen’s notion of capabilities as consisting of two interrelated elements: “First of all, it refers to capacities or powers of people as human beings: these can range from the most basic ones required to fulfil nutritional and health needs to more complex ones such as the exercise of practical reason and living with self-respect in a community. Secondly, it refers to the opportunities that people have to nurture and exercise their capacities; indeed, people’s capacities can be enhanced or hampered depending on the opportunities they face in their familial, social and political circumstances.”
The capabilities approach, thus, shifts the concept of development to a larger and even higher realm. It may appear that in that process the whole development concept has been made rather fussy, but the now widely used Human Development Index (HDI) shows that it need not be so. But that is going out of the main theme of John Alexander’s book. However, one of his keen observations is relevant here. He says: “Sen was indeed perceptive to point that poverty is relative in terms of resources and absolute in terms of capabilities.”
.................
While, in a sense, Rawls’ theory of justice and the capability approach have much in common (when the two are set against utilitarianism, for instance) and may be thought of as “first cousins” as John Alexander says, the major criticism that Sen and Nussbaum have against Rawls is that he only lists (some) conditions necessary for a just society, but does not indicate how such a society is to be achieved and the crucial role of people in specifying it and working towards it.
One aspect that the capability approach stresses is the importance of the “agency” of persons in deciding on the nature of the social order they deem desirable. It, therefore, advocates a reciprocal view of responsibility and emphasises the interdependence between the individual and the social order. It is for this reason that Sen considers public discussion and a democratic polity as crucial aspects of a just society. They not only help to identify people’s elementary needs, but are also influential in the construction of social values such as justice, respect and solidarity.
There is much more in John Alexander’s stimulating book. It is readily conceded that the theme he deals with is not everybody’s cup of tea. But for those who wish to become acquainted with the pioneering work of some of the leading intellectuals of our time on themes of everyday life on the one hand, but of deeply philosophical nature on the other, I strongly recommend this book. John Alexander sets out to summarise difficult arguments, to make comparisons of different perspectives and to synthesise divergent approaches. And he has greatly succeeded in his effort.
read it all
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
World Bank Debarred Satyam Computers for 8 Years
A top bank official, FOX News has learned, has admitted that a leading India-based information technology vendor named Satyam Computer Services was barred last February from all business at the bank for a period of eight years — and that the ban started in September.
The admission confirms what FOX News reported from its own bank sources on October 10 — a report the World Bank officially disparaged at the time.
The World Bank's revelation of the ban on Satyam comes at a watershed moment for the $2 billion (sales) outsourcing giant, which boasts more than 100 Fortune 500 companies as clients and which trades on the New York Stock Exchange. Last week, India's securities commission announced that it would investigate Satyam.
The move came after the company's founder-chairman suddenly announced the company would spend $1.6 billion to buy two distressed real estate and infrastructure companies that are run and partially owned by his two sons. After Satyam's stocked dropped 55 percent in value, the company reversed course.
The World Bank debarment — the harshest sanction the world's largest anti-poverty agency has imposed on any company since 2004 — was meted out for "improper benefits to bank staff" and "lack of documentation on invoices," according to Robert Van Pulley, the top World Bank information security official. more
The admission confirms what FOX News reported from its own bank sources on October 10 — a report the World Bank officially disparaged at the time.
The World Bank's revelation of the ban on Satyam comes at a watershed moment for the $2 billion (sales) outsourcing giant, which boasts more than 100 Fortune 500 companies as clients and which trades on the New York Stock Exchange. Last week, India's securities commission announced that it would investigate Satyam.
The move came after the company's founder-chairman suddenly announced the company would spend $1.6 billion to buy two distressed real estate and infrastructure companies that are run and partially owned by his two sons. After Satyam's stocked dropped 55 percent in value, the company reversed course.
The World Bank debarment — the harshest sanction the world's largest anti-poverty agency has imposed on any company since 2004 — was meted out for "improper benefits to bank staff" and "lack of documentation on invoices," according to Robert Van Pulley, the top World Bank information security official. more
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Microfinancing immediate solution to poverty: conference
ISLAMABAD: Microfinancing was the only immediate solution to miseries of 40 percent of the population living below poverty line, said participants of a conference titled ‘First Micro-insurance Conference’ on Wednesday.
The Asian Development Bank, Department of International Development-UK, (DFID-UK), Rural Support Programme Network (RSPN), Pakistan Micro Finance Network (PMN) and Adamjee Insurance jointly organised the conference jointly.
Indian Institute of Financial Management and Research Executive Director Rupalee Ruchismita presented models on micro health insurance. She said micro insurance regulations, incentives for insurers, insurance literacy and trained professionals were essential to promote micro insurance.
National Institute of Banking and Finance Insurance Managing Director (MD) Kazi Abdul Muktadir made a presentation on the history of micro insurance in the country. He said agriculture insurance was required to benefit more then 65 percent of the population living in the rural areas. more
Monday, December 15, 2008
65, 500 employees lost their jobs in 3 months in India
65, 500 employees lost their jobs between Aug-Oct: Osacar Fernandes
New Delhi, Dec 15: Over 65,500 people lost their jobs between August and October this year due to global economic recession, Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said here on Monday.
A sample study conducted for the period August-October 2008 by Department of Commerce for 121 export related companies also revealed loss in export orders to the tune of Rs 1792 crore, he said during Question Hour in Lok Sabha.
The Department of Commerce study covered primarily employment-oriented sectors like textiles, inlcuding garments, leather, engineering, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, food and food processing, minerals and marine products, he said. more
New Delhi, Dec 15: Over 65,500 people lost their jobs between August and October this year due to global economic recession, Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said here on Monday.
A sample study conducted for the period August-October 2008 by Department of Commerce for 121 export related companies also revealed loss in export orders to the tune of Rs 1792 crore, he said during Question Hour in Lok Sabha.
The Department of Commerce study covered primarily employment-oriented sectors like textiles, inlcuding garments, leather, engineering, gems and jewellery, handicrafts, food and food processing, minerals and marine products, he said. more
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Study: Poverty dramatically affects children's brains
A new study finds that certain brain functions of some low-income 9- and 10-year-olds pale in comparison with those of wealthy children and that the difference is almost equivalent to the damage from a stroke.
"It is a similar pattern to what's seen in patients with strokes that have led to lesions in their prefrontal cortex," which controls higher-order thinking and problem solving, says lead researcher Mark Kishiyama, a cognitive psychologist at the University of California-Berkeley. "It suggests that in these kids, prefrontal function is reduced or disrupted in some way." more
Friday, December 5, 2008
Zimbabwe: Poverty, Hunger Force Girls Into Prostitution
Financial Gazette (Harare)
Zimbabwe: Poverty, Hunger Force Girls Into Prostitution
Nelson Chenga
6 December 2008
Nyamapanda — As the night grew darker at Nyamapanda business centre a jukebox could be heard at one of the night spots loudly playing one of Yvonne Chaka Chaka's 1980s hit songs Take my love it's free.
A crowd began swelling outside the nightclub, venue of a live performance by one of Zimbabwe's music icons, Nicholas Zacharia.
A message on the ravages of the HIV/Aids pandemic from the popular singer affectionately known as the "Senior Lecturer" that warm night could have done the trick in changing the immoral behavioral patterns in the border town if only the revellers were interested in such a lecture.
But unfortunately the main reason for attending the show was purely entertainment in an area starved of other forms of amusements outside the consumption of alcohol and prostitution, a trade that has taken root in the remote settlement and increasingly attracting younger members as poverty and hunger take their toll.
A complete collapse of the country's education system that has seen teachers emigrating or simply staying at home due to the way below poverty margin salaries has resulted in girls being forced into prostitution to survive. more
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