Comments on: CNIUM2006: surface subways, prabsence and the “why” question http://nearfuturelaboratory.com/pasta-and-vinegar/2006/10/07/cnium2006-surface-subways-prabsence-and-the-why-question/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cnium2006-surface-subways-prabsence-and-the-why-question mind/tech bazar from outer space Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:57:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mr. Econotarian http://nearfuturelaboratory.com/pasta-and-vinegar/2006/10/07/cnium2006-surface-subways-prabsence-and-the-why-question/#comment-1986 Mr. Econotarian Tue, 10 Oct 2006 04:11:49 +0000 http://www.liftlab.com/think/nova/2006/10/07/cnium2006-surface-subways-prabsence-and-the-why-question/#comment-1986 Whether there will or will not be poor people in 2026 depends entirely on the adoption of appropriate economic policies. If Chinese and Indian economic growth continues, they may have a very small number of people living on under $1 per day by 2026. On the other hand, much of Africa would have to rapidly adopt policies that support the free market, protect private property, and reduce corruption to expect there to be fewer people living their under $1 per day in 2026 than there are now. Technology and magic can't fix broken economic policies, only cultural and political will. In addition, both the US and Europe will face increasing levels of "relative poverty" because of enhanced immigration (walls won't stop it). 20% of Americans who fall into the US poverty category reside in an immigrant household. In Europe, the long-term challenge is worse because of greater controls on labor driving both native and immigrant unemployment higher, but the larger level of European redistribution makes the overall relative poverty rate lower while potentially masking real achievement problems that jump generations. The higher relative poverty of immigrants in advanced economies is largely (but not completely) due to differences in educational level. The best thing one could do to reduce relative poverty due to immigration in advanced economy countries is to find ways to more effectively deliver education to immigrants. Technology may be able to play a role in this. Whether there will or will not be poor people in 2026 depends entirely on the adoption of appropriate economic policies.

If Chinese and Indian economic growth continues, they may have a very small number of people living on under $1 per day by 2026.

On the other hand, much of Africa would have to rapidly adopt policies that support the free market, protect private property, and reduce corruption to expect there to be fewer people living their under $1 per day in 2026 than there are now. Technology and magic can’t fix broken economic policies, only cultural and political will.

In addition, both the US and Europe will face increasing levels of “relative poverty” because of enhanced immigration (walls won’t stop it). 20% of Americans who fall into the US poverty category reside in an immigrant household.

In Europe, the long-term challenge is worse because of greater controls on labor driving both native and immigrant unemployment higher, but the larger level of European redistribution makes the overall relative poverty rate lower while potentially masking real achievement problems that jump generations.

The higher relative poverty of immigrants in advanced economies is largely (but not completely) due to differences in educational level.

The best thing one could do to reduce relative poverty due to immigration in advanced economy countries is to find ways to more effectively deliver education to immigrants. Technology may be able to play a role in this.

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