Madsen Pirie makes a series of important points about the 'causes' of poverty:

• There are no 'causes of poverty.' It happens naturally when you do nothing. It is wealth that has causes.

• Poor countries are not poor because others are rich, but because they are not rich themselves.

• Rich countries have created nearly all the wealth they enjoy, and poorer countries could do likewise.

• Humanitarian aid is a worthwhile way of helping to tackle such things as conquest of disease and access to clean water. By contrast development aid to invest in industry is less successful and less worthwhile, especially as it is usually directed by governments.

• The gap between rich and poor countries is less important than the attainment by poor ones of enough wealth to lift them from deprivation and give them access to sufficient food, water, healthcare and education.

• The wealth-generating process is robust enough to withstand many things done wrong in a country. It cannot, however, survive genocide, civil war and socialism.

• Corruption is endemic in many poorer countries because without a vigorous economy, political and bureaucratic careers are among the few avenues open to advancement.

• Trade barriers do more harm by rich countries than all of the good they try to do. We could help counties lift themselves from poverty by buying their goods.

• Foreign investment can greatly accelerate economic growth and development.