Poverty is not an accident. It began with military conquest, slavery, and colonization consequently resulting in the seizure of land, minerals, and forced labor. Today, global poverty has reached all new heights due to unfair debt, trade, and tax policies with the wealthiest countries exploiting the poor, developing countries.. THE END OF POVERTY? asks why 20% of the world’s population today uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regenerate.