Paul Collier: 4 ways to improve the lives of the "bottom bil

[pearlqf]

.....about time ... to think .... and reform some bit..... time running short on us.... specially on us in the third world....

[qwertzu362]

Although i do agree with his points as well, i believe it is naive to break the bottom billions problems down into 4 as each individual country will vary and therefore his experience in Nigeria may not be applicable to other countries

[qwertzu362]

@Cradle2Venus although i appreciate what you say and agree that monetary statistics can reflect human behaviour, they are unlikely to do so over a prolonged period of time. The best example would be consumption in the UK. 100 years ago, most of consumption would have gone to food where as now, consumption would focus around more technological items (but ofcourse food still does play a major role).

[crudhousefull]

This guy really hits the nail on the head.

[crudhousefull]

Wow...finally who understands the concept of enlightened self-interest. First time I heard it referred to on a TED talk. If you don't understand that you ego becomes too big since you don't realize that you aren't helping anyone but yourself. There are no good and bad people, just enlightened and ignorant ones. The only sustainable solution to any problem is the spread of wisdom

[qwertzu362]

nk. I am no professional myself



[qwertzu362]

He does propose some clever arguments but doesn't anyone else believe that, although he is well researched, he uses mostly uses mathematical (statistical methods), that he fails to acknowledge human behavior. In that although his math is probably perfect, human behaviour might be different as to what he expects. Furthermore he like creating his theory, and believes that it works but has failed to test it. Its very much oxford; theoretical, but very little applied. Just wondering what people thi

[Cradle2Venus]

@qwertzu362 statistics tracked historically - especially monetary ones - reflect human behavior... As far as testing, he outlines all he did with Nigeria... I'd imagine this theory is difficult to demonstrate from a newly formed democracy to a period of 15 years considering his age. I guess time will tell.

I agree with his main points: governance without informed and educated citizenry will do nothing to help anyone..

[NHTPC]

This is what they are shockingly teaching your kids in schools that have IB ---- dump national sovereignty!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is treason and we should drive these communists out of our schools.

[chilintheair654]

He is so BORING!!! good grief

''motherhood and apple pie''

[Juands10]

We need to think ahead: these bottom billion are the people who are children may have to deal with. I don't mean to stigmatize them but its the truth. We need to educate them, and show them how to make a peaceful living. Any ideas?

[juancfile]

DEVELOPMENT as in "creating more profit-centric societies"...that is not development...at least not in any holistic humanistic dimension, it fails to account for the complexity of choice, life, and the relational aspects of "being"....i'd like to hear indigenous philosophers/economists/mystic­s debunk this Western, androcentric, and consumerist pillage ....

[UsualMike]

Priorities matter. How many residents of the countries of the bottom do you think are more concerned about "the complexity of choice, life, and the relational aspects of being" than about ensuring that they are able to be fed, and about not dying from disease or conflict. I'd strongly urge you to read Collier's book "The Bottom Billion". It will explain why so many of the Western societies now have the luxury of worrying about trivialities like "androcentrism" and "consumerism".

[ZapperLMO]

You aren't thinking this through, as is already written, it's a question of priorities - these countries are so poor, the people have nothing to choose FROM. That's why the primary priority must be sustainable economic growth for these countries - then people can use their minds for more than worrying about their next meal.

[thelex001]

Shut up and listen. Collier's a great man and an extremely hard-working, productive, inspired development economist. A petty nationalism is the worship of other people's ancestors. Get over it.

[timi0000]

Just what we need... all of Africa having a comparable living standard to America. How fast do you think we would suck up the Earth's resources then?

[UsualMike]

Two points.

First, Collier is talking about reversing the divergence of the bottom billion, not having them achieve comparable living standards to America. That won't happen in your lifetime. Or mine.

Second, we have these neat things called markets that give us signals regarding the scarcity of goods. If resources do become scarce, prices will rise, giving us signals to consume less.

[Juands10]

I see where you are going with this..thats why i believe we should help them develop but in a way that it does not compare with the carbon footprint of an actual american. We could start by NEVER introducing them to cars,bikes instead and starting a population control programs like planned parenthood and such.

[NHTPC]

@Juands10 Wow you are so brainwashed.. IN other words, stop development of underdeveloped countries to keep them slaves.. that's exactly what they want to do.

Capitalism rules!

[Thnkabtit34]

Love that nokia commercial at the end... ohh the almighty tube

[OpakeArawra2]

eh?

[joepirrelly]

Nearly teary. Ho humble.

[jacksdad2006]

We are not superior and should not force the rest of the world to be like us, us being developed countries. Developed countries are destroying the world and our systems are not better or more justifiable then others. In fact it seems with the direction the environment this point will only be proven with the destruction of the planets ecosystem and possibly humankind along with it.

[hymnofashes]

Yes we are-- not in some transcendent or no-blood-on-our-hands way, but looking forward. Do you want Robert Mugabe or Baby Doc running the Central Bank or the EPA? Do you prefer the intellectual climate of Somalia to Germany?

I think not. If you did you would have neither the luxury of those words or the technology on which to write them. There is your do-nothing kind, and next to you those who respect Mugabe's sovereignty because they are so jealous of their own petty powers.

[NHTPC]

@hymnofashes Obama = Baby Doc!!! LOL

[portiline]

What I understood: Collier is trying to achieve a transparent international system for business, specially conceived to monitor businesses in the so-called developping countries. I never heard anyone defending this idea and I don't know if it is possible to implement it, because it would have to work either for bigger countries like China, Russia or the USA and not only for countries like Nigeria or Angola.

[hymnofashes]

Exactly. Larger countries refuse to submit to international governance. Until they submit to international law there will be no way with any teeth to stop the collusion of foreign capital and corrupt local governments in dangerous, resource-rich countries.

[NHTPC]

@hymnofashes You can't be serious! Submit to international governance? What the hell did the founders fight for then? We are not so easily going to give up our freedom to traitors like you.

[hymnofashes]

@NHTPC The real goal of taking away your freedom is to enthrone Satan and give your sisters and daughters to black men. This is just the first step. You could stop it if you were louder, on the internet.

[minniemousie]

Mr. Collier's discussion is great, the viewers' comments are also to be highly regarded! Good minds can and must find practible solutions for the twenty first century! Or there will not be a twenty second century

[akylae101]

Uh... misunderstanding.

I replied to viewers who like to see absurdities happen, like the revival of a terrible regime. Luckily neither of us have lived in communism, but my parents have, and they remember lack of fruit, fuel shortages & smuggling clothes over iron curtain's soft spots. China is feeding cities at the expense of villages, standard thought ex-soviet union.

The man I understand and hope he is right. Checks are always good.

[akylae101]

If you don't want taxes, say goodbye to Medicare & Medicaid, police, firemen, search & rescue...

If you think planed economy is good ask the Ukranian farmers who starved to death becouse the planers decided it's more importaint to feed the industry workers, to impress the better-off free-market west. - Oh wait, you can't, they're dead.

The only consistent constant of planed economy is chronic malnutrition. Just compare North & South Korea

[Elfrania]

He did not say no taxes,he meant audit the accounts.The Enron scandal was an appalling American disgrace.

China is planned economy,she has fed the world's largest population.Of course,capitalistic media will highlight the worst to accentuate it's best,but only a kid would believe in advertisement.

[dynastychick3]

Unfortunately many adults believe everything they see or read in the media too.

[Elfrania]

The centre debate is not on which economy or political system,but how they are checked. The question is not on the device, but the corruptibility of those who run it.I do not think he is that difficult to understand.

[swalker711]

dougreding We the American taxpayer paid to set-up the population in China. I guess, you would like such a program here in America. Then we (our corporations after Nixon got the door opened) began the process of moving jobs to China. Nation Building as Ron Paul put it. Our main problem is not using the technology that will stop the use of oil (now we do not have the funds with jobs). Electric cars self propelled by magnets. Solar and wind energy. And we all know why we did not sow this avenue.

[stopthemind]

The rescue of the poor is not the goal of the elites in power! On the contrary: the lower and the middle classes in this world will be annihilated - this is the goal. Why? The problem is UNRESTRICTED PROCREATION - both in the First AND the Third and Fourth Worlds.

[NHTPC]

@stopthemind This is the UN agenda -- control of the world.... world government and this guy is an enemy of freedom. Does your school have IB? This was on the IB website as something teachers should teach, NO MORE SOVEREIGNTY. TEA PARTIERS MUST EXPOSE SNAKES LIKE THIS.

[dougreding]

Excellent ideas, but doomed to fail. NOTHING can help the third world until one major trend is reversed. CHINA has the solution -- the "ONE CHILD" policy. They would still be in the toilet without it. Take third world births minus deaths and you get 80+ million NEW third worlders every year!! I don't care WHAT is tried -- NOTHING will work when the bottom billion will soon be the bottom 3 billion. It all starts with population control and China is the proof that this is the case.

[Mrmoc7]

China's one-child policy has it's own faults. The Chinese populace responded to it's iron-handedness with female infanticide, thus creating a disproportionate male/female ratio.

[hymnofashes]

You're wrong. Voluntary fertility reduction has brought the population down in all developed countries (except China) when women are educated, people can save for their old age without having a large family, and when infant mortality is low.

You wrongly assume people in Africa are just too stupid not to have unprotected sex, or that they want their children to starve. Think about it and you'll see that it's ridiculous. They do it for security in dangerous and unstable conditions.

[mcdavis55]

Checks and Balances!!! While the speaker talks about their importance in building democracies we continue to give ours away to the Bush administration. We sacrifice our freedoms so that we can feel a false sense of security.

[highonhayek]

An "enlightened" self-interest is superfluous. Why not just break down trade-barriers?

[doctorHOUSE]

yes but what is the impact on lower socio-economic countires to practice anal ring toss?

[tommyaceshow]

these are the best videos on youtube, my life has changed with these lectures, just about to watch this, but im so excited, ive learnt so much

[NHTPC]

@tommyaceshow God help us all.. YOu learned from this? What? that communism is good and the gov't should control everything you do?

[michael0845]

The poor level of debate by some posters proves the point that the public need educating to help the worlds poorest.

[NHTPC]

@michael0845 The cliched comments on here tell me that our country's brainwashing in the educational system is working all too well and it's pretty scary.

[MetalHead243]

hey you guys downing socialism you know why it doesn't work is because of you people.if everyone would stop throwing insults and all the rest of the bad stuff,then socialism might work the problem is getting everyone to do that.

[styromaster]

Well, I would certaily want it to work. In theory it is the best of all state forms, but It sadly has never been realized in the proper way. It is hard to balance power in order to create a stable system that is not easily overtaken by one group. So far there need be a strong central (military) power, to stabilize the order. That is always a threat from the inside. Maybe in a future, well educated, fully developped and globalized world the need for such a military force will vanish... Hopefully

[mcdavis55]

Socialism only works when combined in the right proportions with capitialism. Pure socialism won't work because it allows for too much power for too few people. It is too easy to turn pure socialism into a communist dictatorship.

[johnclavis]

Seems like a capitalistic free-for-all, with those who have the money having the political power, has its problems, too. But I don't disagree with you. Humans are stupid and imperfect. I don't know that *any* "ism" that's been invented yet has all the answers...

[mcdavis55]

That's why capitalism must be combined with a Democracy that has very strong checks and balances. In fact, was it this TEDs or another where the speaker talks about why Democracy without the proper checks and balances is worse than the other "bad" forms of government?

[NHTPC]

@mcdavis55 It is megalomaniacal elitists such as this one who want to control the world. WE cannot be responsible for every poor person in every country. This is NOT the goal of 'education' or should not be. If you have this program in your school you should outlaw it.. they want us to give up our freedom. We will not.

[NHTPC]

Ideas Worth Nothing.. treason.

[MrFrankBullitt]

We have an incentive to NOT help the bottom billion.

That way, we can take their natural resources. That's how this works in the real world.

[neilzeil]

The "real world" involves not thinking about solutions, unless one is thinking about profit.

[colomboBE]

This idiot has absolute NO CLUE what he is taking about.

[Aiursrage2k]

You give if you want to but maybe they dont even want it.

[obamatime]

be the change

[styromaster]

@nilbud: That is so naive! socialism might work if you have a small group of people to organize, who themselves all completely agree to the same values. Else it's a mess and we have seen it in history. Get some education yourself and stop spreading communist propaganda. If you don't believe me, just get a small group of people and try your beloved socialism. Animalfarm all over again.

[nilbud]

You're not very bright, your children's book was aimed at Stalinist policies in Russia. Your ignorance is offensive. Don't continue to wallow in your low grade propaganda. The US has just been raped by war profiteers and bankers and you think socialism doesn't work. How did you get to be so stupid?

[NHTPC]

@styromaster Finally someone who makes sense. This is the claptrap they are teaching our kids.

[styromaster]

Planned economies have failed in the past as the person who are planning it tend to use their position for their own good. In addition the lack of opportunity in such an economy, where you can't make a difference and be successful by doing your best, will make the people reluctant to try. Marx is nice in theory but never worked in reality

[zomgsekk]

No, socialism/marxism isn't even nice in theory. It's a theory that's destined to fail, even if all people would comply nicely and everybody did their best. But that's a bit to long to explain in a 500-character post.

[nilbud]

Socialism works just fine. It's a complete lie to say otherwise, get some education instead of propaganda. As for planned centralized economies the military budget in the US is ridiculous and it's all controlled by erm government. The state run US economy is a Gordions knot of ridiculous protectionism, subsidies, and militarism.

[dynastychick3]

Where has socialism worked "fine"?

[nilbud]

Germany, Sweden, France, Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, GB, Cuba (despite a bunch of fuckwits in Miami trying to invade and fuck with the country, and america's illegal sanctions).

Why don't you do your own research instead of assuming US propaganda from 50 years ago is true.

[dynastychick3]

@nilbud And how do you know you aren't getting fed propaganda too? What makes you qualified to make the statements you are making?

[nilbud]

@dynastychick3 I'm educated and old. The US propaganda is mental, how many times did you cover the Declaration of Independence and the civil war during your elementary and high school years. Wouldn't once have done the job? Why the repetition?

You didn't compare all the countries in the world and conclude the US was No. 1 you were taught that the US is No. 1, or as Sean Hannity put it "America is the greatest, best country God has ever given man on the face of the Earth." the potato sucking tard

[NHTPC]

@dynastychick3 Start listening just around 4:45 for where he makes the SHOCKING ADMISSION of the goal of 'Tearing Up National Sovereignty' - THAT is the goal of the United Nations, know it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They need to be banned from the USA.

[NHTPC]

@dynastychick3 Socialism has been a failure everywhere and now they want to impose it on us.. we are beyond that, it's world communism they want.

[Skydromakk]

it's like being in my history classes again :-)

[bluensunshine]

OH dear! I've listened to this and IMO his thesis is, at best, flawed, partial, superficial. US Globalisation, Imperialism, Capitalism and out-of-any-kind-of-control Lawless US and puppet Governments, are the compounded problems NOT the answer. I too, can't argue with that part on educating the public. BUT the planet is being fucked right now by capitalism and WAR etc. so I find it risible to imagine that a tinkering with, a more-or-less-of-the-same economic dialectic could GOOD for anyone.

[nbm34]

Bluesunshine is correct. Monopoly American Capitalism will never create a economic level playing field for any nation. The Capitalist system is corrupt,we can never use the materials of the world for the use of the general by monopoly capitalism. This guy just talks a fancy liberal Capitalism that has never and never will exist in the world.

Planned economies in the advanced countries is the only real answer.

[zomgsekk]

Are you kidding or just stupid? Collier pleads for an interventionist and oppressive government that limits economic freedom and you imply that we should give up freedom alltogether? That's pretty perverse.

[DANE842]

"economic freedom" has helped create the bottom billion. what would you suggest we do?

[pure1warrior]

Stop stealing. Do not alow money to be used as a somthing of value rather than somthing to measure value. Until I can get you to agree that tax is immoral thieft it dont make sense to consider any other way to do anything. Debt slavery is immoral no matter if its a solution to anything it is inhuman and evil. But most have ben so programed we cant get past first base. So why talk about alternatives yet.

[DANE842]

I was talking to zomgsekk. and I doubt you'll get me to agree that tax is immoral theft unless you agree that nationalism is rediculous as is the concept of a defined territory. how far down the rabbit hole do you want to go?

[pure1warrior]

down with it.

[DANE842]

Screw borders, national security, religion, exploitation of people and resources. Screw the concept that the earth "belongs" to us because that's what allows us to use it for our own ends. Screw the food chain, and us being at the top of it because we're smarter than everything else. Everyone has the right to defend themselves with just enough force to keep the attack from ever happening again. screw screwing each other over. Screw the program, it's screwing us.

[pure1warrior]

The alliance that changes the world is the alliance of bankers and governments the alliance of taxes and slavery. The alliance of thieft and debt. When tax is stoped upon humanity then humanity will have compassion for each other no good can ever come from any economic system based upon stealing in the form of taxation of any type.

[DANE842]

do you mean taxes or interest? it sounds like both.

[pure1warrior]

yes they are conected in a debt system. Money needs to be a trade measurement and not value in and of itself, in fact it need be only an accounting value. But when its lent borrowed and taxed it is a debt slavery tool.

[DANE842]

that's such a weird concept, money = favours paid, so I give you some of the favours I've been paid for, and then charge you for that favour (interest) or, because no one wants to do the favour of keeping prisoners fed, but no one wants them on the street either, we take a little favour from everyone so we can pay those who do keep them fed and locked up (Taxes). Seems easy, how'd we screw it up so bad.

[Slavesrevolt]

Very compelling. I especially like the part about educating people.

We have all these "belief" systems but we are denied the real knowledge. Knowing the facts is different than believing the lies.

Just imagine if one of the Alphabet corp like CNN started broadcasting the Clinton Chronicles, Zeitgeist or Bill Moyer's the Secret Government back to back 24/7?

You think people might clue in that somethings going on in the world and they should join in rather than fight it?

Change the world?

[mrkvamaster]

Fuck this bitch! Here's a good way of helping the bottom billion:

STOP EXPLOITING THEM!

[saadasim]

Economic governance for third world countries? How about first economic governance for US and no more printing dollar like it's toilet paper.

[tapthattv]

absolutely

[TheWiseCommenter]

Sorry buddy, but the beautiful American system was founded because your ancestors' system was extremely twisted. WE built this system, for OUR sake, not anyone else's, least of all yours.

Ever since we opened our system up to the world, we are resented and hated. Global corporations deceive us. People want to kill us. And Mexicans seem to think they can waltz across our borders and demand rights without paying taxes.

Fuck the world. Deal with your own fucking problems and leave us alone.

[alblahblah]

Fuck America. Deal with your own problems and stop fucking up the world with them too.

Change your name too. Your about as wise as my 6 year old!!

[bluzy25]

You are twisted!

[krphl31]

no doubt that the american system was founded to work the best . .n i tottaly agree with you ..but it is a bit rich when you said ..

"Fuck the world. Deal with your own fucking problems and leave us alone."

well .. the thing is that america as a nation seems to have their hands in every matter around the world good or bad. ...

so ..

[nooblar23]

if you dont give a shit about the rest of the world then how about you stop attacking them and get out of there buisness. its shit heads like you that make me think that you dicks deserve a recession. Americas a fucking hole.

[dynastychick3]

Whats not reported in the media, including the American media, is all the good, the aid, financial and otherwise that the USA is providing around the world.

[FUCKYOURGODINTHEASS]

Wise my ass. You give american's a bad name.

[stegal]

No. Is your fascist government that gives americans a bad name.

[nilbud]

Dear shitbag of commentry. You have no knowledge of any economic system you just bleat away with your rush limbaughisms. When the nice Chinese men come and sack you, you can tell them "USAyy No. 1" as you pack your nest of rednecks in your pickup and head to Mexico where there will be a welcoming committee.

[kublakhan1816]

Quiet you poof. No one cares about your long run on sentence.

[nilbud]

You'd love to have a nice smooth sentence inside you, wouldn't you Cletus. Go back to your Ann Coulter site you fucking joke.

[gosciu555]

you, YOU? a british guy saying that? no buddy YOU did that through ppl like volcker and shultz. and free trade is a british empire idea.

[acr08807]

Enlightened self-interest? Hey, I'm all for it, as long as it doesn't raise my taxes.

[Greyghostvol1]

Nice one. "NO MORE TAXES!!" haha....

[zomgsekk]

What's so wrong about that idea?

[vincevl]

We need to work towards equality for everybody, as well as sustainable economic systems and ecosystems.

[michael0845]

Burmah and Cambodia for example. The people in these countries are just like you and me. They run businesses and work hard. The difference is bad corrupt government. Poor infrastructure and a lack of investment by big businesses. I think the problem is people in governent putting their interests before that of the ordinary people. But mostly just bad government.

As the professor says there are no agreed international standards for good government.

[iurak6868]

i agree with you completely, specially on the part of "hard work". i also think that education (as sharing information) is very important for sustainable development.

[DANE842]

lack of investment or lack of mutually beneficial investment?

[wogsland]

The 1940s Europe is a bad analogy to the uneducated, NEVER-developed part of the world.

[bitRAKE]

Not only does he propose the analogy, but it also outlines the differences and what is needed to complete the analogy, imho.

[wogsland]

Okay, I admit I stopped watching then. I think the colonial period of Europe would be a better analogy for what's necessary, but I don't think anyone is willing to be un-PC enough to say it.

[michael0845]

Paul Collier is a Professor of Economics, and the Director for the Centre for the Study of African Economies at The University of Oxford in England. From from 1998 -- 2003 he was the director of the Development Research Group of the World Bank.

The man knows what he is talking about.

[michael0845]

This man knows what he is ta

[falsificationism]

I'm amused that so many BRILLIANT youtubers can dismiss an argument put forward by a world renowned economist who has committed his life to these issues.

Not only can they dismiss it...they can do it in less than 500 characters.

Unless you say something substantive, please don't dismiss people who are smarter than you are.

That should be a pretty basic rule.

[DANE842]

it's all about filters and goals. If people don't want to see the same future as he does, understand that money isn't everything and are proponents of other ways to live, it's an easy dismissal

[funnyguise]

I disagree with everything he said except for aid. Everything else was globalist/elitist. The banks and corporations want the rest of the world.

[ShireBrooks]

You don't think the corporations and banks have the third world exactly where they want it? That is, so stagnated that they can steal their resources and harvest the cheap labour. Economic development leads to greater literacy, which leads to that informed citizenry Collier was talking about, except on a global scale. Barring revolution, only education and open government serves as a bulwark against corporate control.

[semiliteratedgod]

higher life standard requires more resources too

.... we'll need fucking 5 earths if Africa and Asia wants to live like us

[wmacorlando]

Would you explain this a little further please?

[vitami1n]

While they are buying fridges and curtains for their new homes, we will get a slice of a cake too.

[Outlookhazy]

Yes, but the main point he made in this talk was not necessarily how to elevate everyone to the same level, but how to help nations around the world get the most benefit out of what they do have.

Preventing a nation from being taken advantage of by alliances between their corrupt or naive government and greedy corporations by improving public awareness is not a far-fetched notion in my opinion.

[DANE842]

"preventing a nation...imo" I agree, but even at auction I'm willing to bet multinationals can outbid the national developers. Which sends more money into the country but whos hands?

[DANE842]

why?

[lordmetroid]

Not isolationistic, non-interventionist. Big difference, isolationism don't even allow trade. Non-interventionism just don't go waring everywhere!

[nofx221984]

nuke the poor

[BrimmyTime]

1st comment