7 Comments
User's avatar
Robert Wright's avatar

But for purposes of the argument Roser is making (the argument we summarize), the main thing is that, whatever definition of extreme poverty they use, they apply it consistently over time, right? And presumably Roser is doing that?

Expand full comment
George Scialabba's avatar

Ah, yes. I just saw the graph and jumped on it, too impatient to make my point.

Expand full comment
George Scialabba's avatar

Yes, perhaps, but there are things more important than the consistency of Roser's argument: namely, the widespread -- near universal -- impression among Western intellectuals that global poverty, under the auspices of global capitalism, is dwindling rapidly and will soon be a non-problem. I think dispelling that illusion is important enough go out of one's way not to cite the misleading World Bank "extreme poverty" measure.

Expand full comment
Robert Wright's avatar

But isn't that the illusion he's in a sense trying to dispel? He's saying that it's fine to celebrate the poverty reductions in Asia, but big and stubborn poverty problems remain elsewhere.

Expand full comment
Peter hamburger's avatar

Andressson doing an endzone dance -- what an image

Expand full comment
SubTly's avatar

"I don’t think Andreessen is dumb. And I doubt he’s consciously dishonest" - I wouldn't be so doubtful, if I were you...

Expand full comment