All Hail KIVA

Via loyal reader Marc I find the newest member of DuelingBarstools’ Magna Cum Blogroll: Kiva microloans. Read about Kiva below, consider the prosperity microloans produce in developing countries by equipping  individuals with capital to seize opportunity, and then lament (again) with me America’s spectacularly failed concept of  social justice, which provides neither capital nor opportunity, and rewards state-dependency rather than individual initiative.

Kiva’s mission is to connect people, through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.

Kiva empowers individuals to lend to an entrepreneur across the globe. By combining microfinance with the internet, Kiva is creating a global community of people connected through lending.

Kiva was born of the following beliefs:

• People are by nature generous, and will help others if given the opportunity to do so in a transparent, accountable way.
• The poor are highly motivated and can be very successful when given an opportunity.

• By connecting people we can create relationships beyond financial transactions, and build a global community expressing support and encouragement of one another.

Kiva promotes:

• Dignity:   Kiva encourages partnership relationships as opposed to benefactor relationships. Partnership relationships are characterized by mutual dignity and respect.
• Accountability:   Loans encourage more accountability than donations where repayment is not expected.
• Transparency:   The Kiva website is an open platform where communication can flow freely around the world.

Socio-Political