World Poverty: A Reference Handbook provides an authoritative overview of world poverty as it stands today. Economic expert Geoffrey Gilbert offers a balanced examination of the controversies and policies surrounding world poverty and addresses such fundamental issues as the definition of poverty and the construction of indicators and indices. In clear terms, this reference work sheds light on spatial patterns of poverty around the globe; the quality of health, food, shelter; and the commitments of the international community. Issues of special interest such as globalization, effectiveness of foreign aid, corruption, and goals for poverty reduction are presented from diverse angles. As with all volumes in the series, this essential reference includes biographical profiles, pivotal documents, and detailed listings of organizations and resources.