The Nature of Mass Poverty

Galbraith discusses a variety of different explanations for poverty, e.g. climate, mountains, access to harbours, raw materials, culture or political system.

First, he contends that many of the causes attributed to the conditions of the rural poor (governmental corruption, lack of education) are in fact both a cause and effect of poverty.

Drawing on his observations in postwar Western Germany, which faced an enormous number of displaced persons after the war, he concludes that emigration was not a problem but in combination with the high level of education, it contributed significantly to the economic success and reconstruction effort.

Galbraith recommends for India improvement in general education on the one hand and focused help for those determined to escape the cycle of poverty.

In general, as for developed countries, emigration and embracing other cultures are not seen as a problem but a sign of action and willingness to escape unsustainable status.