PHM-Exch> Food for a not meaningless thought

[Claudio Schuftan]

Human Rights Reader 299



*POVERTY IS THE NECESSARY CONDITION OF CAPITALIST PRODUCTION AND THE
ACCUMULATION OF WEALTH. *



Historically, economic inequalities have made civil and political rights
meaningless. This categorically demonstrates the importance of implementing
economic, social and cultural rights.

Perhaps, the purpose of neoliberal strategies is not to eliminate poverty
(?). Perhaps, they may be satisfied just to avoid conflicts, to maintain a
certain social cohesion and to help poor people to (just better) 'formulate
their social demands'. (In that scenario, poor people are certainly not
helped to evaluate their own situation and to proactively place demands on
duty bearers). As for their poverty, it will not be diminished with just
that.



The only real solution to poverty is to end the active
process-of-impoverishment. That means setting up an economic and social
system subject to democratic control that will correct the inequalities and
will rectify countless injustices. Needed is an economic system respectful
of decent work standards, of the environment, and of human rights. That
will also mean creating a system of social protection and public services.
The 'pursuit of growth' is a dead-end for all these.


All this means that poverty must be viewed, not as a problem of the poor,
but as a problem of society overall. If one wants to fight effectively
against poverty, the flagrant inequalities in our societies must be fought
against.


For the full Reader  go to

http://wp.me/plAxa-1DW

Claudio
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