Root Causes

Contributor: kcowan

Date: 2003-04-17 12:57:53

>What are root causes of poverty? I am not smart enough to supply an exhaustive list, but let me suggest a few:
>
>1) Repression and a lack of freedom.
While many regimes use these tactics against their own people, it is motivated by their desire to retain power. Our Canadian government uses different techniques to retain power. I would grant you that excessive repression might produce poverty and the result might be terrorist acts.
>2) Ignorance through limited education and controlled media.
The oil-rich states are generally pretty well-off in medical care and education so I think this is a stretch.
>3) Economic systems that diminish the value of initiative and creativity.
Canada does this more than the US through higher and progressive taxation. Yet I do not see a higher tendency to terrorism (or poverty).
>4) Racial/ethnic strife.
Certainly, we do see evidence supporting this one in Ireland, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. We have also seen it in Watts CA and Quebec.
>5) Natural disasters/lack of resources.
Certainly lead to poverty and lack of respect for human life.
>6) Countries run by regimes that despise its own people.
I think it would be fairer to say that it is a racially diverse community in which the group in power share little with the majority of their people.

Because we have seen terrorism in Quebec in our history, we should be able to show leadership as a country that has moved beyond it.
Nothing supports an international stance more than success in our own backyard.

Great dialogue, 'cfallon'. Thanks for initiating it. Are you Canadian?