Samo Burja Argues Effective Altruism's Foundational Premises Are Obsolete in Current Global Landscape

Samo Burja, a sociologist and founder of Bismarck Analysis, has issued a sharp critique of Effective Altruism (EA), asserting that its core philosophy for poverty alleviation is no longer relevant in the contemporary global context. In a recent social media post, Burja contended that the movement's approach was better suited for a historical period when Western prosperity and military might were unquestioned, and its technological advancement seemed singular. He characterized this historical phase of EA as a "pluralistic washed technocratic revival of the civilizing mission of the 1900s."

Burja's analysis suggests a fundamental shift in global dynamics, rendering the traditional EA model of "benevolent globalizing managerialism" ineffective. He argues that the Western world, which once sought to impart "good institutions" and development, "no longer possess[es] either." This perspective aligns with his broader work on institutional health and societal decay, where he frequently examines the challenges facing Western civilization.

The critique highlights China as a contrasting example, which Burja describes as "the only development success story of the third world today." He emphasizes that China achieved this success by not imitating existing Western institutions but by forging its own distinct path. China's development model, often characterized by state-led capitalism and long-term strategic planning, deviates significantly from liberal democratic and free-market orthodoxies.

According to Burja, the current imperative for those aiming to benefit humanity is not external aid but an internal struggle within the Western world. He states, "Rather those who wish to benefit mankind find ourselves in a dire economic, political, philosophical, and ultimately moral struggle within the Western world on whether to maintain first world prosperity and progress at all." This reflects a growing sentiment among some critics that EA, while well-intentioned, often overlooks systemic issues and the complexities of global power structures.

Critics of Effective Altruism have often pointed to its perceived apolitical nature and its potential to justify means by focusing solely on outcomes, a concern amplified by the FTX collapse which significantly impacted EA's moral authority. Burja's commentary further challenges the movement to re-evaluate its historical assumptions and adapt to a world where Western dominance is increasingly contested and internal challenges demand urgent attention.