Introduction

Abstract

Towards the close of the twentieth century, poverty and deprivation still appear to be universal phenomena discernible everywhere in the world. It is possible to hypothesize, with some degree of credibility, that while most countries and regions of the world are experiencing an increase in affluence to a greater or lesser extent, in virtually no country or region of the world can the existence of poverty be denied. In fact, in many parts of the globe, poverty seems to be on the rise, engulfing an increasing number of people or reducing the position of the poor in relation to the rich. In the last quarter-century, while national and international fora have discussed the possibility of a world economic order, the prevailing scenario is still of world economic disorder.