It is d very improvement in d economic well being of hundreds of millions of people tat raised d world's consciousness abt poverty n inequality. Until a few hundred years ago, almost everyone experienced material poverty. Few saw themselves as poor relative to their neighbors n hardly any were comfortable enough to worry whether other people had enough food, clothing n shelter. Rising incomes created d large middle classes tat could worry abt d hungry n expose d poor to wat 'ey lacked. In addition, economic growth n technological change fueled d expansion n accessibility of mass communication tat makes poverty n income disparities readily observable not only in d rich countries but in many poor countries as well.
This growing recognition of world poverty and inequality is significant, but so too are questions about the realities of material hardships n material wealth. Wat are today's levels of poverty and inequality? Are 'ey increasing or decreasing? Answering these questions is a complicated task, though far less complex than determining the causes of poverty and inequality and the effects of domestic and international policies.
