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11 - Global health ethics: the rationale for mutual caring

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2011

By
Solomon Benatar ,
Abdallah S. Daar  and
Peter A. Singer
Edited by
Solomon Benatar  and
Gillian Brock
Solomon Benatar
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
Gillian Brock
Affiliation:
University of Auckland
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Summary

Introduction

Despite impressive twentieth century scientific and technological progress, massive expansion of the global economy, enhanced methods of communication and transportation, and deepening insights into the forces that shape the lives and health of people, the world is more inequitable than it was 50 years ago both in terms of access to health care for individuals and in relation to the health of whole populations (Benatar, 1998; Marmot, 2006).

While polarizing economic forces operate in a world of gross imbalances of wealth and power between the rich and poor (within and between countries) and are largely driven by the economic interests of wealthy nations, many political realities within developing countries have also contributed to the suffering of whole populations. These include corruption, ruthless military dictatorships, ostentatious expenditure by the ruling elite, under-investment in basic education and health, excessive military expenditures and ethnic strife and civil wars. Appropriate criticism of such deficiencies should be accompanied by acknowledgment that they are promoted by powerful nations pursuing their own economic and geo-political interests, often through collusion with despots who have much to gain in personal wealth and the maintenance of power at the expense of their citizens.

Nevertheless, it is arguable that the primary responsibility for good governance surely must rest largely within individual nations – even the poorest – as good governance, like democracy, cannot be imposed from outside.

Type
Chapter
Information
Global Health and Global Health Ethics , pp. 129 - 140
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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