6.2: Revisiting the Rights-Needs Debate
6.2.1: Socioeconomic Class
Read this article, which discusses the apparent lack of concern of affluent societies for world poverty.
Read this article. Pogge challenges us by asserting that severe poverty worldwide could have been easily eradicated decades ago. Offering an initial set of global poverty statistics for understanding his claim, he argues that the essence of the problem is a failure to understand severe poverty as a function of global dynamics and the lack of political will to take up the challenge.
Read this review of two books that explore global poverty and responsibility. Wenar's review of Singer's and Pogge's books provides a succinct encapsulation of the complexities surrounding globalization, poverty, and moral and ethical responsibility. He argues that Pogge's assertions concerning the severity of global poverty and where the responsibilities lie for its redress augment Singer's focus on humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect.
Read this article and compare and contrast this argument with Pogge's stance.
6.2.2: Contemporary Slavery and Consumerism
Watch this documentary on contemporary slavery. This film exposes the realities of contemporary slavery and demonstrates the ways in which a broad range of human rights violations accompany slavery. Additionally, the documentary portrays the connections between modern consumerism and slavery.
Read this non-governmental organization's (NGO) approach to ending slavery. Free the Slaves puts forward a plan that involves action on international, national, local, and individual levels. Pay attention to the particular ways that each level can contribute to the fight against slavery. To what degree does this plan allow for participatory global citizenship?