Poverty Law Prof Blog

Paper worth reading: Privatization, Policy Paralysis, and the Poor

David A. Super has a new paper worth checking out: David A. Super, Privatization, Policy Paralysis, and
the Poor, 96 Calif. L. Rev. 393 (2008).  So far I have been unable to find an online version other than through Lexis or Westlaw so you will have to dig for it, but it is worth it.  In the paper, Prof. Super looks critically at the privatization of welfare and other support service agencies (food stamps, etc.); the paper details the sort of privatization that is taking place and argues in favor of maintaining the government support bureaucracy. 

-E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu

More news coverage of global food crisis

The following links and stories may be of interest to those concerned or interested in the global food crisis:

• Amartya Sen, "Op-Ed: The Rich Get Hungrier," New York Times, May 28, 2008 [very good op-ed from Nobel Prize winner]. 
• World Bank press release connected to Rome Conference on Global Food Crisis and call for urgent action. 
• New York Times Series on The Food Chain. [Lots of photos and stories.]
• Washington Post's Series on the Global Food Crisis. [A series with ongoing coverage.]
• Elisabeth Rosenthal & Andrew Martin, "Leaders Speak of Their Own Issues at a Conference Addressing Food Shortages," New York Times, June 5, 2008.
• Andrew Martin & Elisabeth Rosenthal, "U.N. Says Food Plan Could Cost $30 Billion a Year," New York Times, June 4, 2008. 

-E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu

Article of Interest (and conference announcement): Poverty and Violent Conflict

The Households in Conflict Network's 4th Annual Workshop is being held at Yale College, Dec. 5-6, 2008.   The call for papers is here.  From the HiCN website:

Violent conflicts are a substantial barrier to economic development. Almost one third of the world's population lives in conflict-affected low income countries. Yet little is known about the effects of conflict on household behaviour, household welfare and poverty. The Households in Conflict Network (HiCN) brings together researchers interested in the micro level analysis of the relationship between violent conflict and household welfare.

One paper from their website that gives a taste of the network's work is: Patricia Justino, "Poverty and Violent Conflict: A Micro-Level Perspective on the Causes and Duration of Welfare," HiCN Working Paper 46, May 2008.  Abstract:

This paper argues that endogenous mechanisms linking processes of violent conflict and household poverty provide valuable micro foundations to the ongoing debate on the causes and duration of armed conflicts. Household poverty affects the onset, sustainability and duration of violent conflict due to the direct and indirect effects of violence on the economic behaviour and decisions of households in conflict areas. These effects lead to the emergence of symbiotic relationships between armed groups and households living in areas they control that may sustain the conflict for a long time. The strength of this relationship is a function of two interdependent variables, namely household vulnerability to poverty and household vulnerability to violence.

-E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu
 

Reviving a Paper Mill - Worker Stakeholders

The New York Times today covered the revival of a paper mill, in a story that shows the value of non-owner stakeholders: Fernanda Santos, "Revived Paper Mill Brings a Town Back With It," NY Times June 5, 2008; there is also an associated slide show.

-E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu

Fuel Poverty: UK and the US

A non-profit, Economic Opportunity Studies, has released a (short) report delineating the difference between the view on fuel poverty within the US and the UK.  The UK, it should be noted, has stated that fuel poverty occurs when a home spends  more than 10% of its income on Fuel Bills.  While The US has not come to a consensus on where the fuel poverty line occurs, the following study shows the probable number of households in the US falling below this line utilizing the UK standard.

According to a recent BBC news article, talks about a new plan that the UK is proposing in order to overcome some of the energy problems faced by their poor.  Although there is heavy criticism on the grounds that the plan is not enough to overcome many fuel poverty issues, there are strong proponents that point out that the plan is a large step in the right direction.

(All of this brings up Joseph Kennedy's efforts to bring lower heating costs to the poor, with the assistance of CITGO.  For negative commentary on the political aspects of this Venezuelan oil, see a Heritage Foundation editorial.   The New York Times Sunday Magazine also has an in depth article looking at nationalized oil, "The Perils of Petrocracy," that touches on this.)

-With thanks to Farhan Ali. E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu

New York Times Editorial on Immigration

The New York Times published a strong editorial, "The Great Immigration Panic," June 3, 2008 that calls attention to how history will judge our current zenophobia.  It is worth reading even though more explicitly tied to the ImmigrationProf Blog. 

-[In the interest of full disclosure, I am married to a Salvadoran who is now a legal permanent resident.]  E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu

Millions unable to access HIV/AIDS Medication

The World Health Organization, UNAids, and Unicef have stated that they are two years behind on their access target of placing 3 million people on antiretroviral therapy (ART).  The main reason behind the slow movement of these agencies is attributed to the weak healthcare systems in these low income countries coupled with lack of staff and long-term financing.  For more, see related BBC story; World Health Organization report on Scaling Up Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource Limited Settings; and a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation case study on Working with Botswana to Confront Its Devastating AIDS Crisis.

-Thanks to Farhan Ali. E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu

Jack Kemp and George Mitchell on Poverty in the Spotlight

Of interest: Jack Kemp & George Mitchell, "Poverty Has Returned to the Public Agenda," Spotlight on Poverty.  Note that if you go to the link you will also find number of other op-eds on poverty from the Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity.

-Thanks to Josh Nelson at the Hatcher Group for the heads up. E.R. erosser@wcl.american.edu