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

http://www.ted.com Around the world right now, one billion people are trapped in poor or failing countries. How can we help them? Economist Paul Collier lays out a bold, compassionate plan for closing the gap between rich and poor.

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[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?

[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.

[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).

[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..

[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

[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.