Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Chilean Economist Manfred Max-Neef on Barefoot Economics, Poverty and Why The U.S. is Becoming an "Underdeveloping Nation"
Democracy Now!
November 26, 2010
We speak with the acclaimed Chilean economist, Manfred Max-Neef. He won the Right Livelihood Award in 1983, two years after the publication of his book Outside Looking In: Experiences in Barefoot Economics. "Economists study and analyze poverty in their nice offices, have all the statistics, make all the models, and are convinced that they know everything that you can know about poverty. But they don’t understand poverty," Max-Neef says.
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That was really good. One of his most important statements was really that we can't understand the poor unless we can truly live with them and see through their eyes. Empathy is everything.
Also that we value growth so much-all is measured by GDP or GNP. But chile had a very good GDP, partly from exporting fruits. Also privatized pensions help the GDP. But the people aren't helped. The exported fruit means fruit is more expensive for the average Chilean. Privatized pensions mean private pension funds/AFPs always have a steady commission base/source of profit. But the individual Chilean pays commission all the time-even in economic downturns. High commission is normal and takes away from returns (a 10% return - 5% commission = only a 5% return)
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