Eradicating poverty is indeed a possibility if all governments, international organizations, and trade entities fulfill a sincere plan of giving each citizen of earth a "good standard of living". How can this be done? First, the responsibility primarily rests with the governments. Governments must ensure that their citizens are educated, that basic social services are reasonably available, and that the economy is viable and can accommodate all levels of workers. Natural resources are not necessarily the answer; the situation of naturally rich but poverty stricken African nations has presented a disappointing story. Japan, for example, is not rich in natural resources, but is exceeding rich in an educated and professional workforce that has brought it one of the highest standards of living in the world. What works against the efforts of governments often is a virulent strand of corruption that takes over state resources and eats it up in the bellies of greedy leaders.

Next, the UN, IMF, WTO, the World Bank, and other big economies must trade more fairly in world commerce, which allows fledging economies create necessary equilibrium and gains for their own peoples. After all, there will not be much talk of debt relief if developing governments and their economies are able and capable of repaying debts timely.

In an education society and a viable economy, each citizen has the opportunity to freely seek his economic interests, and by extension the interests of his society. At least Adam Smith was right on this one. And a good standard of living is only a by product of such conditions.