Question

Who among the following theorists of global justice argued that the gap between the global poor and the global rich is due to 'global institutional order'?

• A. Charles Maurras
• B. Friedrich Nietzsche
• C. Thomas Pogge
• D. James Lovelock

Hint:

Thomas Pogge argues that the rich don't just "fail to help" the poor—they actively harm them by creating unfair global rules.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Thomas Pogge is a leading philosopher in the field of Global Justice. He is best known for his work *World Poverty and Human Rights*, where he argues that citizens of wealthy nations have a negative duty to assist the global poor.

Step 1: The "Global Institutional Order".
Pogge argues that extreme poverty is not just a result of local corruption or bad weather in poor countries. Instead, he claims it is actively caused and maintained by the current "Global Institutional Order"—the rules governing trade, finance, and international law (like the WTO or IMF).

Step 2: Negative Duties.
In philosophy, a "positive duty" is a duty to help, while a "negative duty" is a duty not to harm. Pogge argues that the rich West is currently harming the global poor by upholding an unfair global order. Because the rich benefit from this system, they have a moral obligation to reform it and compensate the poor.

Step 3: The Resource and Borrowing Privileges.
He specifically points to the "International Resource Privilege" (which allows any group in power to sell a country's resources) and the "International Borrowing Privilege" (allowing dictators to take out massive national debts). These global rules help keep oppressive regimes in power and keep populations in poverty.