The document summarizes the key promises outlined in John Isbister's book "Promises Not Kept" regarding poverty in the third world in the 20th century. The two major promises discussed were: 1) Nationalist leaders promised people's labor would be used for their own progress, not enrichment of others, but most did not keep this promise. 2) Rich countries promised to help poor countries develop economically, but this promise has largely not been fulfilled as poverty still persists and has grown. The author agrees with Isbister that more could be done by wealthy nations like the US to combat global poverty.