Should Rich Nations Help the Poor? (5C01)

Date: 21/11/2025

“Should Rich Nations Help the Poor?” This book, Should Rich Nations Help the Poor, provides a comprehensive explanation of this question.

The book is divided into five chapters, discussing why and how rich nations should help the poor, and what the poor are currently experiencing. Today, I will introduce two particularly inspiring chapters: “Why Worry About the Distant Poor?” and “Climate Change and Inequality.”

 The first chapter outlines the main idea of the book: why rich countries should care about the distant poor and how we can help them. To answer the first question, the author provides a compelling argument: helping the poor is a moral duty. However, he stresses that governments often adjust their support for the distant needy based on a combination of altruism and self-interest.

Regarding how rich nations can help the poor, the author shares insights from his parents about the famine faced by Indian migrants. His mother emphasized the importance of sharing food with those who are starving; conversely, his father believed that rich nations should assist them with financial and medical expertise, but that access to food is largely related to underlying issues like overpopulation.

 Similarly, commentators from various media argue that aid programs are inefficient. They suggest that it is not our responsibility to provide help, and that poor countries need to sort themselves out. The writer agrees with this perspective. While there are no absolute answers, the question remains: what are the best ways for rich nations to help the poor? It is morally right for wealthy countries to help the poor, but the pursuit of self-interest—particularly for future generations—requires us to assist those in distant lands.

The second chapter introduces the problems caused by climate change globally, which are driven by hydrocarbon emissions from human activities.

The poorest countries will suffer the most due to their lack of resources and capital to invest in infrastructure, as well as their geographical vulnerabilities. For instance, between 2010 and 2020, 75 to 250 million people were suffering from water stress, and this number is projected to reach 350 million by 2050 in Africa.

 So, what can the rich do for the poor? It is suggested that they provide financial assistance in various areas, such as education, health services, and social protection. These forms of assistance can enhance prospects for sustained growth, structural transformation, and improvements in welfare.

Reading this book has been a fruitful experience for me. The author provides a wealth of sources and information, quoting news articles and professional research. I recommend it to all of you.

Thank you!