Mr. Johnson did have an important impact on American society, but unfortunately his war in Vietnam quite eclipsed the domestic program. The Johnson years left one important lesson. That is now considered exactly the wrong way to go about attacking poverty. It is accepted that the problem is not just economics. Health, education, social relations and governance matter, too.
Poverty is a matter of politics, as well as of money.
The vague eagerness to do something about it is going to meet some hard trade-offs, not only vested interests but also conflicting interests. Biotechnology will be urged by those who worry about how the continually growing population is going to be fed, given the diminishing availability of arable land, and it will be opposed by those who worry about the uncertain side effects of biotechnology. All in all, if there is not the slightest glimmer of utopia ahead, and the end of human deprivation for all, there is nonetheless a likelihood of great improvement - because improvement is becoming possible and because people want it. Make a donation or become a member of Global Policy Forum.