The scar on Blair’s conscience

The UK-led Commission for Africa issued its final report today, with the Prime Minister making an impassioned call for action on poverty in the blighted continent.

I'll post more on Third World Poverty in the coming weeks. For now here's a few things that are worth reading in case you're about to run away with the idea that western governments and economic elites are driven by the moral urge to alleviate world poverty.

Firstly, this from George Monbiot on how adept New Labour is at giving the appearance of fighting poverty while contributing substantially to its causes

Secondly, Christian Aid's response to the Africa Commission which warns that compliance with the recommendations will require some "sweeping changes to current UK government policy". Particularly pertinent in light of the dissonance between public posture and actual policies that Monbiot describes.

Finally, this from Noam Chomsky on how a distorted picture of the "free market" is used by the west as a rhetorical device to advance its own economic interests, often with devastating effects on the rest of the world.

Needless to say, western governments and elites should be held to their promises and have their actions watched very closely. Things like the Commission for Africa only happen because ordinary people have created a momentum that forces the hands of the powerful. Its up to us to make sure it counts.