Distribution of wealth has plagued the world since the conception of countries and nation-states. The world’s first cultural centers such as Mesopotamia and Greece harbored rancid poverty along with unbridled riches, and the effect was decidedly negative. The lack of a middle class bred resentment, and the accepted duality of the system made escaping the cycle of poverty a futile goal. In his piece, “The Singer Solution to World Poverty,” Singer challenges the world to attack this inequality, and compels the fortunate population to give away money usually spent on luxuries. Exorbitant displays of wealth have no place in an international climate where entire communities are unable to find nourishment, drinking water, and medical care, and …show more content…
Germany is the eighteenth wealthiest country in the world, and is using its surplus of economic resources to aid the thousands of people searching for a safe place to startover. As a result of the immigration, Germany’s economy is being bolstered by the increased consumer market, and volunteers are fulfilling their religious and moral goals by providing refugees with resources. However, Germany’s situation displays the challenges of Singer’s system, as well. Germany is one of the only countries in Europe to openly welcome the refugees, and thus it is taking the entirety of the economic burden onto itself. Economic benefits of helping the poor are heightened because Germany’s markets are being directly influenced by the number of people they let inside of their borders, but the economic challenges are heightened, as well. The economic burden that should be dispersed among multiple wealthy nations is being carried by Germany alone. In addition, social dissension about the government’s decisions permeates public opinion. Though many citizens appreciate the government’s efforts to help, others believe the money should be spent upon other endeavors. This introduces a second challenge to widespread acceptance of Singer’s system. Nations would have to determine how the donation process would be organized. For example, in the United States, legislators would debate whether donated money would be collected nationally, federally, or through any government intervention at all. Charities exist, but Singer’s program calls for widespread cooperation on the collection and dispersion of money. His proposal would ultimately benefit mankind, but the objective challenges of how to implement it would be the largest deterrents from widespread