Poverty

Abstract

This entry focuses on the poor or indigent, that is, those persons living in highly adverse conditions who cannot meet their basic needs. The article considers our fellow citizens, as well as those living in remote countries. This entry examines what the obligations toward poor persons are. Should persons be beneficent toward them or do they face a stronger duty? If such a duty exists, what kind is it? To this end, this article will present the main ideas that libertarians like Jan Narveson defend. Then, it will analyze Peter Singer´s and Larry Temkin´s positions regarding individual obligations. A related issue is the proximity to and kind of relationship people have with resource-poor persons: Is it morally relevant that these persons be neighbors or fellow citizens, or people from remote countries? The latter discussion analyzes the difference between domestic poverty and global poverty when considering the redistribution of resources. For this local versus global discussion, this entry will outline some of Rawls?s main ideas about domestic and international justice and conclude with Thomas Pogge?s strong defense of global redistribution