Why Howard Buffett believes rule of law is fundamental to addressing global poverty.

When Howard Buffett sat down with CNBC for an extended interview on philanthropy, he offered a candid reflection that gave insight into how some of the world’s most influential philanthropists are thinking about global poverty‑reduction.

During the conversation, Buffett shared a simple but foundational truth he learned from IJM’s founder, Gary Haugen: economic opportunity cannot take root where people are not safe.

And that realization, Buffett explained, changed everything.

A Shift in How Major Philanthropists Think About Impact

Howard Buffett went on to describe how he once believed that the key to addressing poverty was straightforward: “you have to give people economic opportunity.” But he came to see that this assumption only captures part of the picture.

Through discussions with Gary Haugen, Buffett began to understand the deeper barrier: violence and lawlessness. If people cannot safely farm their land, start a business, or walk to school without fear, even the best economic initiatives fail before they begin.

In Buffett’s own words:

What Gary taught me is, you can’t do [economic development] or anything else if you don’t have rule of law… There’s a lot of things you can fund that will go nowhere, because if you’re not addressing the real issue of rule of law, then you just can’t have success.

He went further, grounding his insight in real‑world examples:

• Farmers whose crops are stolen or burned
• Entrepreneurs who cannot protect their property
• Families living under the threat of armed groups

These are not theoretical problems, but daily realities many communities face around the world.

Buffett said these lessons ultimately changed how he has allocated tens of millions of dollars of philanthropic resources. That is no small adjustment. From a future steward of one of the largest philanthropic estates in history, this represents a meaningful shift towards prioritizing effective, sustainable impact.

Why This Moment Matters

In 2024, Warren Buffett informed his three children—Susie, Howard, and Peter—that they would be tasked with directing more than $150 billion in philanthropic investments over the coming decade. It is one of the most significant undertakings in modern philanthropy.

And in the siblings’ first major interview since taking on this responsibility, Howard Buffett chose to highlight the importance of rule of law.

His reflection signals that a growing share of influential philanthropy leaders are recognizing that system‑level change, especially strengthening justice systems, is essential for addressing poverty at its roots.

Economic opportunity matters. Investment matters. Innovation matters. But none of these efforts are sustainable without safety.

How IJM Fits Into This Global Shift

For nearly 30 years, International Justice Mission (IJM) has partnered with local authorities around the world to strengthen justice systems and protect people in poverty from violence.

This work is built on a simple premise: when people are safe from violence, opportunities in education, health, and economic growth can finally take root.

Howard Buffett’s remarks publicly affirm this reality. They reinforce why focusing on rule of law is not only right, but necessary for any lasting progress against poverty.

A Turning Point for Global Philanthropy

As extreme poverty, conflict, and instability continue to rise in many parts of the world, the global development community is asking hard questions about what actually works.

Howard Buffett’s insight is more than a personal reflection. It is part of a broader shift toward recognizing that justice systems are not peripheral, but foundational.

And as the Buffett family prepares to shape one of the largest philanthropic legacies in history, this clarity signals a meaningful step in the right direction for the future of global impact.

Because lasting change begins with safety. And safety requires justice that works.