The absence of state capacity - that is, of the services and protections that people in rich countries take for granted - is one of the major causes of poverty and deprivation around the world.

The very wealthy have little need for state-provided education or health care... They have even less reason to support health insurance for everyone or to worry about the low quality of public schools that plagues much of the country.

Without effective states working with active and involved citizens, there is little chance for the growth that is needed to abolish global poverty.

Angus Deaton Quotes