People starve, suffer, and die because of political and economic arrangements. To address the causes of such exclusion, we need empirically grounded theories that enable us to go behind appearances. Singer dispenses with this need, asserting simply that his "solution" to global poverty (widespread charity) is established by "the facts." He provides no way to determine which facts matter and how. That is, he gives us no theoretical tools for understanding the nature and causes of poverty, or for developing multiple methods to tackle it. Again, we should not be against charity in all instances. Rather, drawing on more reliable development theory allows us to recognize that charity is not a cure-all. Chronic reliance on this one strategy can harm the poor. We must not depend on mere (irregular) assistance, where the rich are exhorted to dispense aid beneficently; rather, we must carefully reform relations and systems of cooperation, such that they benefit the poor on an ongoing basis. Only a wider range of institutional reforms and political strategies, derived from this cooperative approach, can generate sustained inclusion in governance and the global economy.
You may also like

AUG 2, 2022 • Journal
Ethics & International Affairs Volume 36.2 (Summer 2022)
The editors of Ethics & International Affairs are pleased to present the Summer 2022 issue of the journal! The highlight of this issue is a roundtable organized ...

APR 4, 2025 • Video
Unlocking Cooperation: Space Diplomacy
In this event, Northeastern University’s Ethics Institute partnered with Carnegie Council to host a convening on the future of international space governance, security, & sustainability.
Hosted by Ronald Sandler, Zhanna L. Malekos Smith, & Joel H. Rosenthal

MAR 18, 2025 • Podcast
Small States, Mutual Respect, and the Future of the International System, with Ambassador Ali Naseer Mohamed
Ambassador Ali Naseer Mohamed, permanent representative of the Maldives to the UN, discusses the vital role of small states at this critical global moment.
Hosted by Kevin Maloney