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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The End of Poverty summary
Jeffrey Sachs
Economic Possibilities for Our Time
19 mins
Brief summary
The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs explores how poverty can be eliminated and outlines a comprehensive plan to achieve this goal with the help of development aid, education, and good governance.
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The End of Poverty
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Key idea 1 of 9
The Industrial Revolution produced vast wealth for some, but billions still live in extreme poverty.
Equality varies tremendously from one country to another. In fact, while the people in wealthy countries have enormous resources at their disposal and consume much more than they need, those in the poorest nations struggle every day just to fill their stomachs with the food necessary for survival.
The result is that every day 18,000 children die of malnutrition. That’s one child every five seconds!
But these huge disparities in wealth haven’t always existed. In fact, they are a product of the last 200 years. For instance, 200 years ago, most people, regardless of where they lived, were pretty poor. As a result, the differences in poverty level between Europe and Africa were relatively small.
However, as some countries rapidly developed during the Industrial Revolution, they left others behind. For example, the steam engine enabled the mass production of goods while steam trains and ships boosted trade. Furthermore, the advent of electricity and telecommunication made further progress possible, resulting in the constant growth of the global economy.
But certain states benefited from this progress more than others: namely the Western nations.
As a result, countries outside the West remain poor to this day. For instance, today about one billion people are in extreme poverty, living on less than $1 a day. Another 1.5 billion are in moderate poverty, meaning they live on $1–2 a day. That’s enough for basic survival, but not enough for luxuries like a flush toilet or clean running water. Then there are the 2.5 billion people in the middle class. That means they can afford shelter, a television and maybe even a motorbike.
So why do some countries remain poor to this day?
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What is The End of Poverty about?
The End of Poverty (2005) is a guide to ending extreme poverty once and for all. These blinks explain how little investment is actually required to transform the lives of millions. That is, as long as it’s spent wisely.
The End of Poverty Review
The End of Poverty (2005) by Jeffrey Sachs offers a thought-provoking analysis of global poverty and proposes practical solutions for eradicating it. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It presents a compelling argument backed by extensive research, demonstrating how economic development can break the cycle of poverty.
- Combining personal experiences, case studies, and policy recommendations, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding poverty.
- The author's passionate advocacy for social justice and his optimistic perspective make the book engaging and inspiring, ensuring readers stay captivated throughout.
Who should read The End of Poverty?
- Anybody who wants to end global poverty
- Everyone with an interest in politics or international relations
- Every charitable person
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The End of Poverty FAQs
What is the main message of The End of Poverty?
The main message of The End of Poverty is that poverty can be eradicated through a combination of economic development and international cooperation.
How long does it take to read The End of Poverty?
The reading time for The End of Poverty varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The End of Poverty a good book? Is it worth reading?
The End of Poverty is a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of global poverty and the potential solutions to eradicate it.
Who is the author of The End of Poverty?
The author of The End of Poverty is Jeffrey Sachs.
What to read after The End of Poverty?
If you're wondering what to read next after The End of Poverty, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- The Origin of Wealth by Eric D. Beinhocker
- Empire by Niall Ferguson
- Who We Are and How We Got Here by David Reich
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- Civilization by Niall Ferguson
- 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism by Ha-Joon Chang
- Orientalism by Edward W. Said
- A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
- Change by Design by Tim Brown
- On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin