Malediven (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“If the world is profoundly divided materially, there is very little hope that it can be united socially, psychologically, and spiritually. Therefore, if we intend to live together peacefully as members of a single, human family, then each individual has a right to a reasonable share of the world’s resources. Each person has a right to expect a fair share of the world’s wealth sufficient to support a “decent” standard of living–one that provides enough food, shelter, education, and health care to enable people to realize their potentials as productive and respected members of the family of humanity. This does not mean that the world should adopt a single manner and standard of living; rather, it means that each person needs to feel part of the global family and, within a reasonable range of differences, valued and supported in realizing his or her unique human potentials.” Duane Elgin, Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich