Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland Working Paper
November 2011
Abstract
Poverty, although it has declined dramatically in the last few decades, affects more than a billion
people in the contemporary world. Their levels of material well being, education, and
opportunities are little changed from those of their ancestors. Much is now understood about the
causes of lack of development and poverty, but in many places progress is depressingly slow.
U.S. attitudes and policy toward global poverty have been and remain ambivalent and
inconsistent, at best.
American Christianity, vibrant and relevant to the lives of the majority of Americans, is
increasingly engaged in international humanitarian and missionary work, through
denominational bodies, international faith-based NGOs and congregations. Millions of American
Christians contribute billions of dollars to humanitarian and evangelical efforts, and millions are
themselves personally involved in one or another international activity, much of it directed at the
alleviation of poverty and hunger.
Perhaps American Christianity has the potential to help shape a more humane and sensible
response to global poverty on the part of American society as a whole and the American
government in particular? This paper attempts to explore both the potential and the challenges.
Citation
Bane, Mary Jo. "The Churches, Foreign Policy, and Global Poverty: New Approaches? New Partnerships?" Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland Working Paper, November 2011.