Release date: May 27th, 2019

Dylan Matthews

The global poverty rate has fallen significantly over the last few decades. But there's a heated debate between people like psychologist Steven Pinker and anthropologist Jason Hickel, over how to view that fact. Is it a triumph for capitalism? Should we celebrate it, or lament the fact that rich countries aren't doing more to close the poverty gap faster? Vox journalist Dylan Matthews explains the disagreement. He and Julia discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each side's argument.

Links

Dylan's Vox article explaining the debate over the falling global poverty rate

Jason Hickel responds to Dylan's article

Our World in Data responds to the critique of the poverty estimates

Dylan's past Rationally Speaking episode on kidney donation

Future Perfect podcast

Scott Alexander's blog post on Conflict Theory vs. Mistake Theory

John Nerst's analysis of the disagreement between Ezra Klein and Sam Harris over IQ and race, through the lens of decouplers vs. non-decouplers

"Reasons and Persons" by Derek Parfit

"Gang of Five: Leaders at the Center of the Conservative Crusade" by Nina Easton

Edited by Brent Silk

Music by Miracles of Modern Science

Full Transcripts