[daedrdev]

I my opinion, a lot of poverty continues because of terrible politics. Many areas could have economic growth, but are restricted by authoritarianism, corruption, and a lack of rule of law that make investments and productivity growth impossible. Without a stable non-corrupt government, there is no way for economic improvement even if you had a lot of money to spend because it won't make it to where it's needed.

[ragtagtag]

I would add that the terrible politics doesn't need to be local. There are a large number of international norms that benefit the already-wealthy, at the expense of the poor, for example, by supporting authoritarians in other countries.