Development, Poverty and Inequality in the Twenty-First Century World

Abstract

In the late 2000s, multiple global crises intensified existing economic inequality and poverty, particularly in developing nations. These crises placed additional pressure on already vulnerable populations and exposed significant weaknesses in global governance systems designed to address poverty. Despite a growing international consensus on reducing human suffering, poverty levels remained high and inequality continued to widen. The challenges also raised concerns about achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially within the United Nations framework. This chapter examines the evolution of global governance in addressing poverty and inequality, tracing its roots to international development debates during the Bretton Woods era. It highlights the limited success of international organizations, bilateral aid, and non-state actors such as NGOs and financial institutions in reducing poverty and inequality. Although some progress has been made, especially in agriculture, it has been undermined by inadequate policies and resources. The chapter argues that meaningful change is possible but constrained by political resistance and lack of global consensus