"While Americans Preach about Nonsense, China Lifts People Out of Poverty" | Steve Keen

August 15, 2026

Growing Up in Peru, I Thought I Knew Poverty. America Surprised Me.

THE NEW YORK TIMES — OPINION: Every year I choose a university student to accompany me on my win-a-trip journey, which is meant to highlight issues that deserve more attention. My 2026 winner is Brunella Tipismana, a recent Yale University graduate and budding journalist — and with that, I’m handing the rest of the column over to her.

By Brunella Tipismana, reporting from Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma

I thought I knew what poverty looked like. I grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Lima, Peru, in a family of former agricultural workers who remembered what it was like to live in thatched-roof houses. So when I drove through Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma, meeting Americans in some of the poorest ZIP codes in the nation, my first reaction was one I’m not particularly proud of.

The people we met drove cars, lived in houses with air-conditioning, owned washing machines and bought groceries with electronic benefits cards. I found it hard to empathize with their circumstances: They reminded me less of my neighbors in Lima than of my country’s comfortable middle class.

As our 1,000-mile road trip went on, though, the people I met and the stories they told convinced me their poverty was more complicated than it appeared: the young people in deindustrialized towns who told us they felt left behind and terrified about their futures, the woman in Arkansas trying to raise six children on $13.40 an hour, the grandmother in eastern Kentucky who told me that I wouldn’t find a single family in her town whose lives hadn’t been touched by addiction — a sentiment I heard again and again as we drove through similar towns in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The Americans I met were financially better off than many of their counterparts in the developing world. But as anyone who has been poor knows, poverty is about much more than money. Many working-class Americans I met are troubled by addiction, loneliness and contempt to a degree that poor people where I’m from are often spared. » | Nicholas Kristof | Opinion Columnist | Saturday, August 8, 2026

How Millionaires Want to Help Fight Poverty in the UK | DW Reporter

August 9, 2026 | Many Brits are struggling to get by, while the wealthy get richer and richer.

A group of millionaires want to change this – by paying more taxes. The United Kingdom is one of the richest countries of the word. But for millions of Brits, life feels more expensive by the day. Around a fifth of people in the country live in poverty, while the cost of living continues to increase.

Many families are cutting back on food, heating. or electricity usage. At the same time, the country as a whole has grown wealthier.

The total number of millionaires in Britain has grown drastically since the mid-1990s. In London, especially in neighborhoods like Mayfair, this wealth is on full display. But only a few kilometers away, there are people who live in social housing that struggle with broken pipes, water damage, and ever-climbing rents.

An unusual solution to the inequality problem has come from the wealthy themselves: the Patriotic Millionaires are calling for a wealth tax on the super-rich. The idea is to tax all wealth over 10 Million pounds at a rate of 2 percent. According to the group, this could save the country around 24 billion pounds annually, around 28 billion euros. More money that could be spent on public services, social housing, and infrastructure.



Thatcher and Reagan started all this sh**! They made the poor even poorer and started destroying the middle class. I was taken in by her. I am sure many of you were too. That woman encouraged GREED and destroyed COMMUNITY SPIRIT. — © Mark Alexander

Pope Leo Denounces "an Economy that Kills" and "Imbalances of Wealth"

Oct 11, 2025 | In his first major document, Pope Leo dove right into poverty, saying God has a special place in his heart for those who are poor, oppressed and discriminated against. Chris Livesay reports.

Argentina’s Economy in Crisis, Soup Kitchens Struggle after Government Spending Cuts

Sep 13, 2024 | Argentina's economic crisis has led to widespread poverty, affecting over half of the population. Soup kitchens, essential to many struggling families, are facing shortages after the government halted a food distribution program in December as part of a major cost cutting effort. President Javier Milei is being urged to reinstate the program to address the urgent needs of the country's most vulnerable citizens. The situation is deteriorating, with many families relying solely on soup kitchens for their meals. Inflation, high unemployment, and budget cuts continue to exacerbate the hardship.

Javier Milei is another unfeeling, cruel clown who wants to “fix” the economy even if half of the population of Argentina has to starve to death for him to achieve his desired results! The secret of running a successful economy is to get good economic results with the minimum of hardship and suffering.

I recently watched a documentary on Milei’s anarcho-capitalistic policies and what Argentinians thought of them. It was very clear to me that the people who thought his policies were good were all well-heeled individuals living in beautiful homes. When the government’s policies have minimal impact on your lifestyle, it is easy to be uncritical of them. But for those who are dependent on assistance, for those who are suffering shortages, it’s a different story.

I said from the very start that this experiment will end in tears. I still believe it will. I stand by my original assessment. – © Mark Alexander

Luxembourg: Poverty in Europe's Wealthiest Country | DW Documentary

Apr 30, 2024 | Luxembourg is seen as an oasis of luxury in Europe, but poverty and homelessness are on the rise. While the government has done little to respond here, NGOs are doing what they can to combat the most extreme levels of hardship.

Luxembourg is a financial hub and home to the European Court of Justice as well as countless shell companies. And with the highest per capita GDP anywhere in the world, the country is also known for its wealth and luxury. But there's a different, lesser-known side to the grand duchy. Alexandra Oxacelay is with "Stëmm vun der Strooss,” an NGO dedicated to taking care of people who are homeless and socially vulnerable. The soup kitchen run by this charity is seeing a growing number of people searching for shelter, a hot meal and support. One of them is Stephan from Hungary, who's spent the last seven years living in a tent - even during winter. Alexandra has also noticed an increase in the number of "working poor,” or people struggling to make ends meet despite having a job. Serge Kappel suffers from chronic inflammatory back pain and has been unable to find an apartment he can afford due to a dramatic increase in rental costs. Researcher Antoine Paccoud attributes this to rampant speculation on the real estate market and insufficient funding for social housing. Alexandra can at least provide affordable housing for some people in need. But that help is limited when compared to the growing number of Luxembourgers and refugees who have become dependent on the NGO while living in the shadows of high-profile office buildings.

Poverty in Luxembourg has become an increasingly divisive issue. Yannick Wirtz, who is out of work, feels let down by the government and says there should be greater restrictions on immigration. Whereas NGO director Alexandra Oxacelay refuses to discriminate when it comes to the disadvantaged - insisting that in the wealthiest country in Europe, everyone deserves to be helped.

Argentina Collapses into Poverty

Oct 28, 2024

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Peter Stefanovic: Millions of People Are Living in Poverty, Destitution & Using Food Banks - It’s Barely Mentioned

Oct 24, 2024

Victorian Levels of Poverty Will Return to the UK

May 1, 2024

The Tories should hang their heads in shame! Their governance of this country has destroyed the nation’s economy, broken beyond repair the country’s sense of community and cohesion, and lined the pockets of the superrich to overflowing. And in so doing have created poverty that this country hasn't seen since the Victorian Era.

The man speaking in this video is one of the superrich, despite his self-confessed working class origins. He is a man with a sense of fairness and has been crying out for something to be done about inequality in this country for a very long time. But no one of the ruling class is listening. There are none so deaf as those who don’t want to hear!

This colossal wealth inequality all started with Thatcher. That woman is the root of so many of our current ills. The lady might not have been for turning, but she certainly was for creating unequal distribution of wealth!


’Nuff’ said! – © Mark Alexander

Old-age Poverty in Germany | DW Documentary

Jun 24, 2024 | Gisela, Inga and Ulrich are pensioners – and poor. They’re constantly short on cash, even though they worked as hard as they could.

One out of five pensioners in Germany is considered to be at risk of poverty. Among women, the figure is even higher. The reasons vary widely. Gisela had decided to take care of her elderly father – meaning she couldn’t make enough payments into the pension fund. She’s feeling the consequences now, as she must count every penny.

Inga is in a similar situation. She had an accident that stopped her from working full-time. Now she’s trying to save money wherever possible – especially on groceries.

Ulrich was self-employed and earned well. But then his business went bust, and his savings are long gone.

Three different life stories, one problem: With retirement came poverty.

A film by Tessa Clara Walther and Melina Grundmann.

Sir Michael Marmot on 'Grim Reality' of Poverty in Britain | LBC

Jan 23, 2024 | Professor Sir Michael Marmot joins Andrew Marr to discuss alarming data from the NHS, which suggests a signifiant increase in Victorian-era diseases, such as scurvy and rickets, during Rishi Sunak's premiership. Marmot attributes the return of these diseases to poverty and malnutrition and emphasises the 'grim' reality of Britain in 2024.

Millions in UK Need to Double Income to Escape Poverty | Channel 4 News

Jan 23, 2024 | When the cost of everything is spiralling, from housing to fuel and food, millions of ordinary people are facing an ever greater struggle to get by.

Now a new report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation says millions of people in the UK would need to double their income to escape poverty. Their damning report reveals the extent of hardship and desperation across the country - describing it as "social failure, at scale".

Gap between Haves and Have-nots Widening, Report Warns

BBC: The growing gap between the UK's "haves and have-nots" is in danger of becoming a "chasm", a report has warned.

Research by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank argues the most disadvantaged are no better off than they were 15 years ago.

It mentioned stagnant wages, family breakdown, poor housing, crime, mental health and other issues, saying the gap widened during the pandemic.

Ministers highlighted the support to help with the rising cost of living.

The report by the CSJ's Social Justice Commission says the country is at risk of slipping back to a social divide not seen since the Victorian era. » | BBC | Saturday, December 9, 2023

This is what happens to a society when greed is allowed to be its driver! It is a direct consequence of years of Thatcherism and thirteen plus years of Tory rule. – © Mark Alexander

Brits on the Edge | ARTE.tv Documentary

Nov 17, 2023 | Britain has amongst the highest inflation in Europe with many barely having enough to keep up with rising rents, energy bills and food prices. A focus on ordinary Brits struggling to make ends meet.

WELCOME to TORY Britain after years of Thatcherism and Brexit!

Über die schlechten Umstände in denen so viele Briten nun seit Thatcherismus und Brexit leben müssen, schäme ich mich ganz und gar.

Dies ist nicht das Großbritannien, auf das ich als Kind stolz war und das ich früher verehrte. Aufeinanderfolgende Tory-Regierungen haben so viele Menschen in die Armut und einige sogar ins Elend gestürzt.

Dieses Land muss diese Regierung schleunigst aus dem Amt werfen. Um sich zu erholen, bräuchte es vielleicht sogar eine Revolution. – © Mark Alexander

UK ‘in Violation of International Law’ over Poverty Levels, Says UN Envoy

GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL: Exclusive: Special rapporteur Olivier De Schutter to urge ministers to increase welfare spending on visit to country this week

Poverty levels in the UK are “simply not acceptable” and the government is violating international law, the United Nations’ poverty envoy has said ahead of a visit to the country this week, when he will urge ministers to increase welfare spending.

Olivier De Schutter, the UN’s special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, cited research showing universal credit payments of £85 a week for single adults over 25 were “grossly insufficient” and described the UK’s main welfare system as “a leaking bucket”.

In an interview with the Guardian five years after his predecessor, Philip Alston, angered the Conservative government by accusing it of the “systematic immiseration of a significant part of the British population”, the Belgian lawyer risked a fresh confrontation by saying: “Things have got worse.” » | Robert Booth, Social affairs correspondent | Sunday, November 5, 2023

UK's welfare system is cruel and misogynistic, says UN expert after damning report on poverty: Britain’s welfare system is so sexist it may as well have been compiled by “a group of misogynists in a room,” a UN expert has claimed. / Philip Alston, the UN’s rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, warned that poverty in the UK is a “political choice” and that compassion and concern had been “outsourced” in favour of tax cuts for the rich. / In a damning 24-page report he brands levels of child poverty “not just a disgrace, but a social calamity and an economic disaster” and said that limiting benefit payments to two children was as “forced and physical” as China’s one-child policy. »

The Rise of Poverty in Europe | Documentary

Oct 18, 2023 | The Rise of Poverty in Europe | ENDEVR Documentary from 2017

119 million people in Europe live under the breadline today. How could this happen? The reality of deprived children, unemployed young adults, and indigent workers spreads all around the Union. What does Europe do for them? Visiting young unemployed people in Ireland, Italy and Portugal, this film investigates beyond the social and economic aspects and outlines how this situation impacts the politics.

ENDEVR explains the world we live in through high-class documentaries, special investigations, explainers videos and animations. We cover topics related to business, economics, geopolitics, social issues and everything in between that we think are interesting.

Bangladesh: Children Hit by Global Cost of Living Crisis - BBC News

September 6, 2023 | The global cost of living crisis and the impact of the war in Ukraine on food prices has hit families around the world. None more so than in Bangladesh, which last year hiked fuel prices by 50% overnight. It led to a steep rise in the cost of basic food items like rice and vegetables.

Why the US Can’t End Poverty

Mar 7, 2023 | 37.9 million Americans are currently living in poverty, accounting for 11.6% of the total population. That’s despite the fact that America ranks first as the richest nation in the world in terms of GDP. Poverty in the U.S. is not only a humanitarian crisis but an economic one as well. About 11% of the federal budget, or $665 billion goes to economic security programs every year. Child poverty alone is estimated to cost the U.S. over $1 trillion based on the latest research. So how did poverty become such a big issue in the U.S. and why is it so difficult to end it?

"Poverty, by America": Author Matthew Desmond on How U.S. Punishes the Poor & Rewards the Wealthy

Apr 18, 2023 | A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that poverty is the fourth-greatest cause of death in the United States. Roughly 500 people die from poverty in the U.S. every day. Our guest, sociologist Matthew Desmond, is the author of the new book, Poverty, by America, the follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize-winning book Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. "There's so much poverty in America, not in spite of our wealth, but because of it," says Desmond in an in-depth interview.

The New Poor in Germany | ARTE.tv Documentary

Jan 27, 2023 | With the increase in the cost of living, food banks are increasingly in demand in Germany. But the massive influx of people in need poses a major challenge to charities, which sometimes have to refuse new applicants.