Global Poverty & Justice: Core Concepts and Teachings

Global Poverty: Definitions & Realities

Poverty Thresholds

• Half the world’s population lives on less than $2.50 a day.

Classifications of Nations

• First World Countries: Developed nations characterized by high Gross National Product (GNP), stable governments and economies, developed infrastructure, efficient markets, and technological advancements.
• Second World Countries: Nations with command-market economies or communist systems where the central government controls economic processes.
• Third World Countries: Developing nations often marked by unstable governments and economies, high mortality, poverty, and/or low education rates.
• Fourth World: Refers to extreme pockets of poverty and socio-economic/political instability found within developed nations.

Examples of Nation Classifications

• First World Examples: United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand.
• Second World Examples: China, North Korea, Cuba.
• Third World Examples: Yemen, Chad, Congo.
• Fourth World Examples: The Ozarks, the Appalachian Trail, Native American territories, and many overpopulated, impoverished areas of India.

Understanding Poverty’s Roots

Factors & Causes of Poverty

• Factors of the Cycle of Poverty: Business practices, crime rates, education levels, and environmental conditions.
• Four Main Causes of Global Poverty: Colonial past, overpopulation, multinational corporations, and the social/political environment.

Catholic Social Teaching & Justice

Scriptural Foundations

• Matthew 25: “When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was naked, you clothed me. When I was sick, you cared for me. When I was alone and imprisoned, you visited me.”

The Miracle of the Loaves

• Symbolism in Numbers:
  • 5 loaves + 2 fish = 7 (representing perfection).
  • 12 baskets left over = (representing promise).
  • In John’s Gospel, people were split into groups of 50, symbolizing life or a generation, suggesting we have enough to sustain our generation if we are willing to share.
• Bread in John’s Gospel: Barley bread, often referred to as the bread of the poor, signifying that the sustenance for the masses comes from humble origins.

Key Encyclicals & Documents

• Gaudium et Spes (On the Church in the Modern World, 1965): Issued by Pope John XXIII during Vatican II, this document emphasizes the Church’s active role in making a difference in the world, empowering believers through Sunday Mass to engage in social action.
• Justicia in Mundo (Justice in the World, 1971): From the Synod of Bishops, this document famously states, “If you want peace, work for Justice.” It argues that meeting people’s needs reduces reasons for conflict, highlighting the contrast with billions spent on nuclear weapons while many lacked food.
• Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples, 1967): By Pope Paul VI, this encyclical calls the Church to prioritize social justice over mere charity, asserting that justice addresses the root issues requiring charitable acts. It inspired organizations like Catholic Relief Services to support social justice movements and foster self-sufficiency.
• Economic Justice for All (1986): A pastoral letter by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) with two main ideas:
  1. We need to be conscientious consumers.
  2. The decline of the family farm will cause major problems for all of us.

Liberation Theology

• Creator: Gustavo Gutiérrez.
• Origin: Gutiérrez, a former medical student and later a priest, developed this theology while working among impoverished communities in Lima, Peru.
• Five Principles:
  • Preferential option for the poor
  • Ideology critique
  • Use of scripture to empower
  • Use of the PRAXIS method
  • Base communities

Economic Justice & Community Practices

Historical & Ethical Practices

• Jubilee: A practice, common in early church communities, involving the forgiveness of debts after seven years. It allowed individuals to start anew, free from the burden of debt.
• Tithe: A donation of 10% of one’s earnings, traditionally given to support the poor and underprivileged within a community.
• Bindings: An agricultural practice of leaving a portion of a field unharvested each season as a way of giving back to the earth and ensuring some of its products remain in the ground.

Modern Challenges to Equity

Food Systems & Insecurity

• Agricultural Subsidies and Hunger: The Agricultural Department’s subsidies to large corporate farms for processed food ingredients (like wheat and corn) disadvantage small, family-run farms producing wholesome foods (fruits and vegetables). This economic incentive towards unhealthier foods makes it harder for impoverished areas to access healthy options.
• Food Deserts: Urban areas lacking access to healthy, wholesome foods due to distance from supermarkets or grocery stores. These areas often rely on small convenience stores stocking highly processed foods, contributing to obesity. Food deserts arise partly from small farms’ limited resources, hindering their ability to deliver to distant locations.

Global Water Scarcity

• Access to Drinking Water: Approximately 1 billion people lack access to viable drinking water. This number is likely higher, as many face cost-prohibitive access to water.

Welfare System Challenges

• Problems with American Welfare: The system often creates barriers for families trying to escape poverty. To qualify for government assistance, individuals must be in extreme poverty. Once they begin earning even a small income, they may lose eligibility for aid, which can disincentivize seeking employment or higher-paying jobs.

Impact of Expectations on Development

The Pygmalion Effect

• Pygmalion in the Classroom: An experiment where teachers were told 20% of their students were unusually gifted (though these students were randomly chosen). Eight months later, these 20% showed significantly greater IQ gains, attributed to receiving more praise, feedback, and invested time from their teachers.