Peter Singer’s new book presents a logical, compelling argument for the need to end world poverty. He proposes a new standard for giving which, he believes, would help to alleviate the terrible conditions in which 1.4 billion people struggle to survive on less than US$1.25 a day. He addresses the issues of waste and surplus in individual consumption in developed nations and considers the environmental damage done by these nations at the expense of poorer countries. He graphically illustrates how relatively small changes in consumption can, collectively, create more funding to reduce poverty. Singer discusses the ethical and emotional factors in decisions about giving and looks at common reasons for not giving more. He looks at current levels of aid provided by countries and individual philanthropists, highlighting the ways in which we chose to give, favouring family, community and country over the unknown. For example, Americans gave US$1.54 billion for disaster relief work after the 2004 tsunami which killed 220,000 people in Southeast Asia, yet the following year they gave $6.5 billion in aid to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina, which killed about 1,600 people. In a key chapter, ‘Creating a Culture of Giving’, Singer looks at individuals who have made the decision to give more, not necessarily from a high-income base. He argues that philanthropy is not for the rich alone; we can all do more. The real need seems to be for leadership not self-interest; a positive approach can be created through both corporate and individual initiatives. The arguments in the book have been presented to audiences around the world; they represent Singer’s views about ‘why we give, or don’t give, and what we should do about it’. His goals in writing the book are to make people think about their duties to those trapped in poverty and to get them to give more of their income to the battle against poverty. The arguments are not emotional but rational. The scale of the disaster facing the world is made clear; those living in extreme poverty are part of our world and our responsibility. This book will appeal to those who already give to charity or provide aid in some other form, and to those who are thinking about giving. It should be read by all of us. (See interview page 58).

Chris Harrington is co-owner of Books in Print, Malvern

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

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