From poverty to power - Oxfam-Québec

FROM POVERTY TO POWERWHO RULES THE WORLD?Global institutions such as the World Bank, the IMF, and the UnitedNations, transnational corporations, rich-country governments (andeven international non-government organisations such as Oxfam) aresometimes viewed as the most powerful and dynamic forces in thefight against poverty and inequality. This book has argued, on thecontrary, that the main actors are poor men and women and theirnational governments – a combination we have called active citizensand effective states.This is not to deny the power of global institutions. In tacklingglobal poverty and inequality they can, by both action and omission,be either part of the solution or part of the problem. They can fosterefforts to build an effective, accountable state and an active citizenry,or they can undermine or even crush them. This part of the bookexamines those aspects of the international system most relevant tothe fight against poverty and inequality, and explores how globalinstitutions can be placed at the service of development.The web of international institutions, laws, regulations, and agreementscollectively known as ‘global governance’ is constantly growingin range and density. Global governance can help the fight againstpoverty and inequality in eight main ways:• Managing the global economy through, for example, rules ontrade and investment;292