Easy access to debt is another economic asset that most of the world does not have.

If you can feed yourself by going into debt, then you have purchasing power. You need something (except if you're a student) to guarantee the loan.

I'm not convinced they would be better off with it. For every American that wisely uses debt to get an education that will lead to an ROI, how many are just screwing themselves with consumer debt and degrees that don't pay?

Sure, but you'll still have to pay your lenders before donating to charities. Have you forgotten your original point so quickly?

Unsecured loans exist.