Poverty Within the United States

As we begin our studies examining various current domestic and world issues, the question as to what the most important issue in world politics arises.  While numerous prevalent matters define our world, determining a sole issue that surpasses others in importance can be arduous.   Regardless, I believe that the most important issue in world politics are the persons living in poverty within the United States.

Current poverty levels within the United States range from approximately 13% - 17%.  While this appears to be a domestic issue concerning only U.S. residents, these populations play a vital role in globalization and American capitalism.  In the status quo, the poor are excluded from ownership society. This policy, proposed under the Bush administration, attempted to allow the masses to gain a larger stake within the nation which subsequently would produce a more self-sufficient population that did not require government policies.  The inability to attain and control assets has produced a wealth inequality     that has been gradually growing (Molseed, 2006).  As the inequality gap increases, wealth is concentrated within the richest population which prevents less wealthy populations from scaling socioeconomic ladder.  American capitalism cannot be sustained by a few wealthy hands.  The ability to effectively compete and sustain a life, also known as the “American Dream”, within an economy is an essential component of capitalism.

The reason why this is a world issue is because countries mimic the U.S. economic model (EPI, 2008).  Countries throughout the world attempt to emulate the U.S. economic model in hopes that their society can attain an autonomous and economic role in world issues.  A credible U.S. model that can engage persons living in poverty within American capitalism can foster economic growth, interdependence, and cooperation (Posen, 2009).  A lack of economic mobility would undoubtedly cause a domestic backlash against globalization as a larger size of the U.S’ population becomes functionally excluded from the economy.  A backlash against globalization would prevent effective multilateral economic policies from arising between the U.S. and emerging markets worldwide.  Numerous empirical studies have explained the importance of economic leadership and multilateral economic policies. Economic leadership is key to prevent economic collapse (Mandelbaum, 2005), war (Gartzke, 2005), warming, and nuclear proliferation (Matthews, 2007).  Globalization has the unique ability to bind new players in the world economy together and it creates industries which have the ability to deter threats throughout the world.  Addressing domestic U.S. poverty is the first step towards economic leadership and a future that can effectively deal with pressing problems.