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Angus Deaton Response to 'The logic of effective altruism' online The article criticizes the approach of effective altruism to global poverty reduction. It argues that the focus on technical fixes and randomized experiments ignores the political and contextual factors that contribute to poverty. The author contends that aid agencies and NGOs often overlook the unintended consequences of their interventions and can inadvertently support oppressive regimes. The article also questions the evidence base for many development interventions, highlighting the need for more nuanced and context-specific approaches. It advocates for addressing the root causes of poverty, such as political oppression and trade policies. The article emphasizes the importance of engaging with local communities and working to empower individuals within those communities to create lasting change. – AI-generated abstract.

Response to 'The logic of effective altruism'

Angus Deaton

Boston review, July 1, 2015

Abstract

The article criticizes the approach of effective altruism to global poverty reduction. It argues that the focus on technical fixes and randomized experiments ignores the political and contextual factors that contribute to poverty. The author contends that aid agencies and NGOs often overlook the unintended consequences of their interventions and can inadvertently support oppressive regimes. The article also questions the evidence base for many development interventions, highlighting the need for more nuanced and context-specific approaches. It advocates for addressing the root causes of poverty, such as political oppression and trade policies. The article emphasizes the importance of engaging with local communities and working to empower individuals within those communities to create lasting change. – AI-generated abstract.

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