Comments on: Bill Gates on Creative Capitalism http://www.defeatpoverty.com/2008/01/bill-gates-on-creative-capitalism.html A conversation on global economic issues, ideas & data to help us all become better contributors to defeating the scourge of extreme global poverty Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:26:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bob Uva http://www.defeatpoverty.com/2008/01/bill-gates-on-creative-capitalism.html/comment-page-1#comment-140 Bob Uva Mon, 28 Jan 2008 03:24:00 +0000 http://www.defeatpoverty.com/2008/01/bill-gates-on-creative-capitalism.html#comment-140 I'm thrilled that Gates gave this speech, a sort of call-to-arms for the poor. Just a week ago I attended Muhammed Yunus' speech here in Portland, Oregon, as part of his book tour. These two leaders have somewhat different views of social capitalism. Although I haven't started Yunus new book yet, I know that he has proposed social businesses not take anything in profit beyond getting their money back. Gates, on the other hand, wants profit-making businesses to use some of their human and other resources to develop ways to bring the poor out of poverty.<br/><br/>It's good that there are different points of view on this broad topic. I think there will be businesses started that follow the Yunus model, and I think Gates' call will motivate existing businesses to create socially-minded practices as part of their bottom line.<br/><br/>I now work for a very large financial services company (Fiserv) and I am looking forward to seeing how we can do something to help.<br/><br/>Thanks for the post, Dave, for the speech link and the summary! I’m thrilled that Gates gave this speech, a sort of call-to-arms for the poor. Just a week ago I attended Muhammed Yunus’ speech here in Portland, Oregon, as part of his book tour. These two leaders have somewhat different views of social capitalism. Although I haven’t started Yunus new book yet, I know that he has proposed social businesses not take anything in profit beyond getting their money back. Gates, on the other hand, wants profit-making businesses to use some of their human and other resources to develop ways to bring the poor out of poverty.

It’s good that there are different points of view on this broad topic. I think there will be businesses started that follow the Yunus model, and I think Gates’ call will motivate existing businesses to create socially-minded practices as part of their bottom line.

I now work for a very large financial services company (Fiserv) and I am looking forward to seeing how we can do something to help.

Thanks for the post, Dave, for the speech link and the summary!

]]> By: Michael Kruse http://www.defeatpoverty.com/2008/01/bill-gates-on-creative-capitalism.html/comment-page-1#comment-139 Michael Kruse Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:41:00 +0000 http://www.defeatpoverty.com/2008/01/bill-gates-on-creative-capitalism.html#comment-139 I think Gates is really wrestling with these issues but is dislike of Easterly worries me. His belief that technology is the central problem misses the mark. (At least this is what I got from the WSJ article.) Once again, like others, he fails to see the role social networks and institutions play in economic growth. <br/><br/>He's still learning. I hope he wakes up to the complexity of the issue. I think Gates is really wrestling with these issues but is dislike of Easterly worries me. His belief that technology is the central problem misses the mark. (At least this is what I got from the WSJ article.) Once again, like others, he fails to see the role social networks and institutions play in economic growth.

He’s still learning. I hope he wakes up to the complexity of the issue.

]]> By: Liz http://www.defeatpoverty.com/2008/01/bill-gates-on-creative-capitalism.html/comment-page-1#comment-138 Liz Sun, 27 Jan 2008 08:11:00 +0000 http://www.defeatpoverty.com/2008/01/bill-gates-on-creative-capitalism.html#comment-138 Dave,<br/><br/>I really admire Mr. Gates' optimism. I like what he said about capitalism addressing needs for those with income, but not for those without. I'm glad he recognized the need to connect third world companies with first world markets. <br/><br/>Further, I'm not sure recognition is enough to make a large transnational corporation change their behavior. As a consumer, I frequently wonder about the so-called corporate social responsibility projects large corporations support. I'm sure they have the resources to lie to me. Could a third party verify the information, and attach a CSR report on the label like they do with nutrition information?<br/><br/>Cheers,<br/>Liz Dave,

I really admire Mr. Gates’ optimism. I like what he said about capitalism addressing needs for those with income, but not for those without. I’m glad he recognized the need to connect third world companies with first world markets.

Further, I’m not sure recognition is enough to make a large transnational corporation change their behavior. As a consumer, I frequently wonder about the so-called corporate social responsibility projects large corporations support. I’m sure they have the resources to lie to me. Could a third party verify the information, and attach a CSR report on the label like they do with nutrition information?

Cheers,
Liz

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