Poverty

July 14, 2015

Does Walmart Do More for the Global Poor than the Vatican?

In reply to Pope Francis’s recent criticism of free market capitalism, AEI’s Mark Perry provides a provocative response. Not only do free markets do more to reduce world poverty than the Catholic Church, says Perry, one single company—Walmart—had done more for the global poor than the Vatican: I would argue that free market capitalism, American style, has done more to reduce world poverty than any anti-poverty efforts of the Catholic Church and the Vatican. Continue Reading...

July 14, 2015

Pope Economically Confused in Bolivia

Today at the Library of Law & Liberty, I examine Pope Francis’s recent speech in Bolivia, in which he calls for “an economy where human beings, in harmony with nature, structure the entire system of production and distribution in such a way that the abilities and needs of each individual find suitable expression in social life.” Continue Reading...

July 09, 2015

Does Buying Fair Trade Goods Help Poor Workers?

Over the past decade, fair trade products, such as coffee, chocolate, and fruit, have become an increasingly popular option for helping the global poor. But while the intentions are noble, does buying fair trade have the intended effect? Continue Reading...

June 29, 2015

Unsanctified Mercy: Integrating Compassion and Conviction for Human Flourishing

Compassion is a marvelous virtue. Feeling concern for others and acting sacrificially — especially on behalf of those that cannot return the favor — reveals mature character and contributes to human flourishing. Continue Reading...

June 16, 2015

Audio: Kishore Jayabalan With Al Kresta on Laudato Si, Capitalism, and Catholicism

Acton University 2015 is about to get underway at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and our friend Al Kresta has already taken up residence on the gallery overlook level for his week of Kresta in the Afternoon remote broadcasts. Continue Reading...

June 11, 2015

Isolation and Self-Sufficiency: The Logical Ends of Protectionism

When it comes to free trade, critics insist that it hurts the American worker — kicking them while they’re down and slowly eroding the communal fabric of mom-and-pops, longstanding trades, and factory towns. Continue Reading...

June 02, 2015

What Would The Founders Do About Welfare?

What comes to mind when you think of poverty policies prior to FDR’s New Deal? For many people, the idea of pre-1940s welfare is likely to resemble something out of a Charles Dickens’ novel: destitute adults in the poorhouse and hungry children (usually orphans) eating a bowl of gruel. Continue Reading...

May 27, 2015

There are 200 Million Fewer Hungry People Today Than in 1990

Today there are 216 million fewer undernourished people than there was in 1990-92. To put that number in perspective, consider that across the globe there are currently 247 countries and dependent territories. Continue Reading...

May 21, 2015

The Federal Government Spent $100 Billion on 18 Food Programs Last Year

The federal government spent more than $100 billion providing food assistance to Americans last year, according to recent testimony by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Eighteen federal programs provided food to 46 million people—approximately 1 out of every 7 Americans. Continue Reading...

May 20, 2015

How Free Trade Helps the Poor

Several years ago economist Bryan Caplan provided the most succinct and helpful statement about how we should think about free trade: “We’d be better off if other countries gave us stuff for free. Continue Reading...

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