Is Greed Killing Us All? - An Article to Portray A Young Mind

If a child is worried, why aren't you?

Ever since I could remember, I have always interested in world peace, a stable economy and fair-share of opportunities towards everyone. At the ripe age of 13, I wrote a 10 page article with a mindset of how our world leaders will read it someday and consider my words. I was wrong. Not in defeat but in expectations.

---

Is Greed Killing Us All?

We have suffered because of other people's greed for centuries upon centuries and we are not realising how this greed is affecting other people. The gap between the rich and poor is widening, conflicts are growing and our economy is failing.

How is greed so powerful?

Economic inequality is expanding.
According to the International Monetary Fund “the richest 10% today snap up to 52% of all income. The poorest half just get 8.5%.”. Now, this divide is continuing at a fast pace with severe consequences like inflation increase, homelessness, decreased access to human needs, high crime rates, poorer public health and countless more.

This can grow hatred towards the government - why aren't they helping us? Do they look down on us? - Questions begin to erupt, exactly like an active volcano. Unless you divert the lava flow to a solution.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done."

Nelson Mandela.

A solution means solving a problem. Our problem here is the gap between the rich and poor. One of the most effective ways to solve this is by introducing the global bare minimum wage. This is a large goal, but our society now isn't going to get any better unless changes are made.

This is not just a theoretical idea but a solution to ensure that every person employed, regardless of where they live or what job they hold, is guaranteed a living wage.

By setting a baseline wage that meets the essential needs of all individuals, we can bridge the financial divide and provide a safety net for the most vulnerable of society.

How much would this Global Basic Minimum Wage be?

The global basic minimum wage should be 50% of each country’s GDP per capita. This gives an opportunity for equity, sustainability and adaptability, this ensures a fair wage while respecting each country's unique economic circumstance. An example of this is in the US the GDP in 2023 was $75,000, and 50% of that is $37,500. Therefore the global bare minimum wage in the US would be $37,500.

Would this Apply to Every Person - Regardless of Their Financial State?

No, the global bare minimum wage is not given to every person. This is a way to help everyone to a fair standard of living, filling in the gap between the rich and poor. If every single person, regardless of their financial state earned this wage, the economic inequality gap would widen at a faster rate. To really fix this problem, we need to focus on those of a lower financial state - who struggle in society. By focusing on everyone who struggles, a balance is built.

Today, 8.5% of the global population lives in extreme poverty, earning less than $2.15 a day- which is 700 million lives!! - they would be given recognition and help. No more children have to be left behind, starved every night, scared with their family - we can fix this. We are humans, we deserve a chance of life filled with opportunities - while as people of a higher financial state would continue to strive, no money would be taken away from them. This isn’t about wealth redistribution or punishing success, not communism.

Would there be Exceptions to the Global Bare Minimum Wage?

Yes. While the global bare minimum wage is primarily designed for people over the age of 18 who are employed, we cannot turn a blind eye to those who are clearly struggling within society, regardless of age. Life is meant to be lived, not endured in suffering due to financial inequality.

There may be cases where individuals under the age of 18 are employed and request the bare minimum wage. However, let me be absolutely clear: if you are under 18, employed, but have family or friends who can support you, you will NOT receive the bare minimum wage. Why? The purpose of the bare minimum wage is to help those who are struggling to a fair financial standing—not to give more income to those who already have help given.

If your family is struggling financially, they would receive the bare minimum wage instead. Sadly, there are situations where young people under the age of 18 have no support at all. This is not uncommon and exceptions would be made to make sure they are not left behind.

According to the Irish Examiner “Between 2021 and 2023, the number of young people (aged 18-24) in homeless accommodation rose by 92%, from 776 to 1,457, making up 17% of the total homeless population.”

What is Meant by ‘Truly Financially Struggling’?

Financial struggle is typically defined as ‘a state where an individual or household cannot meet their basic needs for survival and well-being due to a lack of sufficient income or resources.’ This goes beyond low earnings - it's about being unable to live with dignity and security. These needs are housing, food, healthcare, education, utilities and essentials. Without this, its impossible to survive, especially in today's economy. People can see when someone is going through this.

According to the World Bank “When considering a higher threshold, such as $6.85 per day—which is relevant for upper-middle-income countries—about 44% of the global population, or around 3.5 billion people, live below this line.”

This statistic shows the widespread problem across the globe. This impacts billions of individuals - 3.5 billion ! - who don't have the necessary things to meet their basic human needs. The global bare minimum wage gives a solution to fight this problem, giving people the means to live with dignity and security.

How would the Wage be Adjusted for Cost of Living Differences?

The global bare minimum wage should be determined based on the country, not the region. Different countries have different financial states and costs of living, so adjusting the wage by country makes sure that it is relevant. Countries with higher costs of living, like Switzerland or Japan, would have a higher wage, while countries with lower costs of living would have a lower wage. This makes sure fairness without creating problems within regions that might have different economic rates compared to countries nearby.

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

Mahatma Gandhi

With this System, would Inequality be Reduced or Simply Shifted?

The global bare minimum wage aims to reduce inequality, not just shift it. By giving everyone a baseline level of income that makes sure of basic resources, security and dignity, the gap between the rich and the poor will be narrowed.

While wealthier individuals may still be wealthier, this system fights the growing inequality by making sure that no one is left behind in extreme poverty.

Think of it like this; our world is a garden, full of life and each flower is unique in its own way. But when one side of the garden gets watered and has more access to the sun, the other side struggles to survive. The flowers on that side suffer, wishing they had access to the necessities the other flowers have. Clouds appear as the tension and hatred start to build up between the two sides and the gap widens. When one day a change has been made. The clouds disappear and the sun shines for both sides - because the sun is big enough for every flower - and slowly but surely the tension and hatred is gone. Both sides of the garden receive the sun, water and clean air. Even though the one side receives more sun and water but the other receives less - no flower is left behind.

How would the Wage Address issues like Exploitation or Unsafe Working Conditions?

While the global bare minimum wage provides workers with a fair baseline, it may not directly address issues like exploitation or unsafe working conditions. It's important to make sure that workers are not just receiving a basic wage but are also being protected from unsafe practices.

The responsibility would lie with employers and governments to ensure that workers are in safe environments and are not being exploited. The bare minimum wage makes sure that those who are in vulnerable positions still have the means to survive.

According to the ILO “over 30% of workers worldwide are exposed to hazardous conditions.” which is 1.05 billion people!!

Could this Wage Encourage Laziness or Reduce Motivation to Work?

The global bare minimum wage is to make sure people who are in a low financial state get to live, not to encourage laziness. If that individual is an adult and able to work but finds no motivation, it's a reflection of their own mindset rather than this system. Those who truly want to help and improve their lives will do so. The wage isn't meant to discourage but to give a safety net for those who need it.

We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.

J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

How would Wealthy Countries React to the System?

Wealthy countries would likely have mixed reactions. However, it’s important to understand that developing and developed countries should bond for the global good. If wealthy countries refuse to support this system, they risk breaking their reputation as helpful global citizens. Why might wealthier countries not want to close the gap between the rich and the poor? - this is the real question to ask.

The bare minimum wage would be the country's GDP, so wealthier countries would help more, but they would also receive more in return, because of their higher GDP and population. The goal is not to make a profit but to ensure everyone can live with dignity.

What Role would International Organisations like the UN play in this system?

While the UN’s main focus is to keep peace, it could play a role in looking at the global bare minimum wage to make sure that countries are following the agreed-upon system. The UN could provide guidance, resources, and help between countries in ensuring fairness and equality across the world. However, it wouldn’t play a huge role since the main function of the wage is financial survival.

Although the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to end poverty, reduce inequality, and promote sustainability globally.

We are determined to make poverty history, to reduce inequality and to promote prosperity for all.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Sustainable Development Goals

Could the Global Bare Minimum Wage Reduce Global Migration?

Maybe. It’s possible that the global bare minimum wage could reduce migration, particularly from struggling countries to richer countries.. If individuals could earn a living wage in their own countries, they might not feel like they need to migrate to look for better opportunities.

However, migration also includes political instability, climate change, and personal hopes, so the wage might not eliminate all causes of migration.

We rise by lifting others.

Robert Ingersoll

Could the Global Bare Minimum Wage Lead to Inflation?

It’s true that introducing a global bare minimum wage might put pressure on prices in certain markets. But inflation is going to get worse with the wars continuing. If the world economy moved its focus away from war spending and unnecessary military budgets, inflation would go down at such a fast rate.

The money spent on warfare could be directed toward rebuilding infrastructure and supporting sustainable economies. If we end wars, the money could be better used to make economies stronger and prevent inflation from spiraling out of control.

According to SIPRI “As of 2023, global military expenditure reached a record high of $2.44 trillion, marking a 6.8% increase from the previous year”

Now here's a question for you, are you aware of the war between Russia and Ukraine? Have you ever wondered how much Russia spent on this war from 2022-2024?

- In 2022 Russia spent 6.4 trillion rubles (around $90 billion) (some sources suggest this is untrue and the real spendings were about 10 trillion rubles ($150 billion))
- In 2023 Russia spent 6.4 trillion rubles (around $90 billion)
- In 2024 Russia spent 10.4 trillion rubles (about $115.2 billion)

That's approximately $355.2 billion.
Although pinning the blame on Russia for our failing economy and inflation would be untrue.

There are multiple other countries/regions currently in war.
- Yemen and the Houthi rebels (started in 2014)
- Israel and Palestine (started in the 1900s)
- Afghanistan and The Taliban (The Taliban took over in 2021)

Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, war is not a crime.

Ernest Hemingway

These are just some examples of unnecessary wars happening in our world today. People are forced to suffer in silence. When will this end? War has been a topic in our world for centuries and centuries - stopping war feels like trying to stop an inevitable event from occuring.

Which leaves us with our last question;

How would the Global Bare Minimum Wage be Funded?

The funding for the global bare minimum wage could come from several sources and for your happiness - the bare minimum wage will NOT be funded through taxes.

A big amount of the funds currently used towards military spending and warfare could be redirected toward this system. With global peace, the resources before used for violence could be used to rebuild societies and invest in global peace. And governments could put taxes on wealth and high-income individuals or businesses, making sure that those with more money contribute more to the system. It’s about helping people, not separating them.

Stopping war once and for all is the biggest goal. It is not only about ending the wars today but stopping it forever.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it

George Santayana

History has shown us war. If we don't learn from it, we risk increasing the suffering and chaos.. it’s time to stop this.

War starts because of greed. If you were to search "why does war happen” it would say things like “competition over land, religious conflicts, nationalism” and so on but these are all incorrect. The true reasoning of war is greed. No excuse is suitable to defend yourself if you've started a war.

War is defined as “a state of armed conflict between different countries or different groups within a country.”

I disagree with this. War is truly innocent lives killed, the economy failing, our environment annihilated, inflation increasing, immigration, political instability, distrust, betrayal and countless more horrors.

What about the soldiers? If a soldier don’t want to fight, they'd be seen as disloyal and weak. But reasoning could be as simple as their need to return to their family or maybe that soldier struggles with mental health or maybe just maybe, that soldier doesn't want to die on a battlefield as a murder. And this is called having honour for your country? Forced to kill others on the battlefield while leaders demand more because they are safe. That is what war truly is. A destruction of humanity, all for greed. Why?

Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Our economy is exactly like a balloon. The more air (money) we add into it, the larger it grows. But If the balloon stretches beyond its ability,it risks bursting under the tension (inflation). By giving the balloon time to adjust more air, the tension decreases, and it doesn't burst.

Right now, that balloon is stretching at an uncomfortable rate. At any second, any minute, any day, or any year, it could burst. And the consequences would be catastrophic. If war would come to an end and if we waited for a bit, to handle injuries, rebuild infrastructure and homes - only then will the Global Bare Minimum Wage can be set.

Now the unanswered question - Is Greed Killing Us All? Yes. Greed is blindly killing us all.

Written and Drafted by Alison Bria
A voice for change

Bibliography

- The International Monetary Fund. “The Richest 10% Take 52% of Income. While the Poorest Half Get Just 8.5%.” IMF Report, 2025. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2022/03/Global-inequalities-Stanley. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023
- Mandela, Nelson. Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Little, Brown and Company, 1994
-World Bank. “8.5% of the Global Population Lives in Extreme Poverty, Earning Less Than $2.15 a Day – 700 Million People.” World Bank Report, 2023.https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/poverty-prosperity-and-planet. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023-Irish Examiner “Unacceptable 92% rise in youth homelessness since 2021”
- Irish Examiner Report, 2023.https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41115937.html. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023
-World Bank “Global poverty reduction has slowed to a near standstill” World Bank Report, 2024 https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/poverty-prosperity-and-planet. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023
-Gandhi, Mahatma. “Mahatma Gandhi Quotes” Brainly Quote Report, 2021. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/mahatma_gandhi_150725. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025 - International Labour Organisation. “Safety and Health at Work” International Labour Organisation Report, 2024. https://www.ilo.org/topics-and-sectors/safety-and-health-work. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023
- Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Bloomsbury, 2000
- Sustainable Development Goals. https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals
- United Nations. “Department of Economic and Social Affairs” Welcome to the United Nations Report, 2019. https://www.un.org/uk/desa/ending-extreme-poverty-crucial-sustainable-future-all-un-chief. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023.
- Ingersoll, Robert. “We Rise by Lifting Others.” The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, vol. 12, Dresden Publishing Co., 1900.
- Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. “Trends in World Military Expenditure.” SIPR Report , 2023. https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/2404_fs_milex_2023.pdf. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023
- The Guardian. “Russia to raise defence budget by 25% to highest level record” The Guardian Report, 2024. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/30/russias-defence-spending-to-rise-by-25-next-year-the-highest-since-the-cold-war. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025
- World Population Review. “Countries currently at War” The World Population Review, 2024. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-currently-at-war. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023
- Hemingway, Ernest. “Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime.” Notes on the Next War: A Serious Topical Letter. Esquire, 1935
- Santayana, George. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The Life of Reason: Reason in Common Sense, 1905
- King, Martin Luther Jr. “Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows.” Speech, 1967. www.examplewebsite.com. Accessed 12 Jan. 2023

January 12, 2023
Edited in March 2025

---

Now as I reflect and read — none of this has been achieved.