From Poverty to Power: How Active Citizens and Effective States Can Change the World by Duncan Green

The twenty-first century will be defined by the fight against the scourges of poverty, inequality, and the threat of environmental collapse. This book argues that it requires a radical redistribution of power, opportunities, and assets to break the cycle of poverty and inequality and to give poor people power over their own destinies.

The twenty-first century will be defined by the fight against the scourges of poverty, inequality, and the threat of environmental collapse - as the fight against slavery or for universal suffrage defined earlier eras. "From Poverty to Power" argues that it requires a radical redistribution of power, opportunities, and assets to break the cycle of poverty and inequality and to give poor people power over their own destinies. The forces driving this transformation are active citizens and effective states. Why active citizenship? Because people living in poverty must have a voice in deciding their own destiny, fighting for rights and justice in their own society, and holding states and the private sector to account.Why effective states? Because history shows that no country has prospered without a state structure than can actively manage the development process. There is now an added urgency beyond the moral case for tackling poverty and inequality: we need to build a secure, fair, and sustainable world before climate change makes it impossible. This book argues that leaders, organisations, and individuals need to act together, while there is still time.

Foreword - Amartya Sen 1. IntroductionPart 2: Power and Politics The political roots of development A* I have rights therefore I am A* I believe therefore I am A* I read therefore I am A* I surf therefore I am A* We organise therefore we are A* I own therefore I am A* I vote therefore I am A* I steal therefore I am A* I rule therefore I am Case Studies: A revolution for Bolivia\'s Chiquitano peopleWinning women\'s rights in Morocco Part 3: Poverty and ProsperityAn economics for the 21st century A* Rural livelihoods A* The changing world of work A* Going for growth A* The private sector A* Trade Case Studies:African success stories: Botswana and MauritiusThe fishing communities of Tikamgarh Part 4: Risk and VulnerabilityWho is vulnerable? A* Social protection A* Living on the edge: Africa\'s pastoralists A* Hunger and famine A* Climate change A* HIV and AIDS and other health risks A* The risk of natural disaster A* Violence and conflict Case Studies: South Africa\'s Treatment Action CampaignIndia\'s campaign for a National Rural Employment Guarantee Part 5: The International SystemThe international financial system A* The international trading system A* The international aid system A* The international system for humanitarian relief and peace A* Climate change A* Global governance in the 21st century Case Studies: The 1997 Mine Ban TreatyThe 2005 Gleneagles agreements Conclusion Appendix: How Change Happens Notes and references Index