[3] Pogge's book present an alternate view than the one where "Education, health-care, technology, and political participation are becoming ever more universal, empowering human beings everywhere to enjoy security, economic sufficiency, equal citizenship, and a life in dignity."

He presents one where Poverty and oppression persist on a massive scale, one where the affluent states and international organizations knowingly contribute and even benefit from these evils.

[7] This can change due to people in the affluent countries becoming aware of their effect on worldwide poverty and pressuring their politicians to take action,[8] or at least to "do no harm".

[11] He expands to state that the terrorists were wrong to attack in the name of religion and that the governments are also at fault for the war on terror because they inflict harm upon the innocents without considering the moral implications.

[12] Thomas Pogge contends that we are violating our negative duty not to harm the poor by supporting oppressive regimes which further cements their position.