The topic for the first Sr. Clare Dunn Forum is "Capitalism and The Poor."  The debate centers on the question "Is capitalism good for the poor or is it bad for the poor?" Many argue that capitalism offers the poor the best avenue to attain wealth. Others argue that capitalism provides the rich the opportunity to take advantage of the poor for their own aggrandizement.

Cap-i-tal-ism: An economic system based on a free market, open competition, profit motive and private ownership of the means of production. Capitalism encourages private investment and business, compared to a government-controlled economy. Investors in these private companies (i.e. shareholders) also own the firms and are known as capitalists.

1. Learn about capitalism. Begin with this site. Google it. Ask you teachers and classmates.
2. Give your opinion. A new question will be added to the poll each week.
3. Write about it. Go the the Questions and Answers page. Write an answer for the world to see.
4. Go to the blog. See what people are saying. Add your opinions.
 

Some Facts:

Poverty: "When estimating poverty worldwide...the World Bank uses reference lines set at $1 and $2 per day. It has been estimated that  in 2001, 1.1 billion people had consumption levels below $1 a day and 2.7 billion people lived on less than $2 a day."

In 2001 there were about 6.1 billion people in the world. About 44% of the world population lives in what we in the United States would consider extreme poverty.

By comparison the average income in the United States in 2001 according the Bureau of Labor Statistics was $98 per day.

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Opinion

Question #7

Which institution in the United States is the most focused on helping the poor?

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Previous Questions
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6