When many millions of people go from being subsistence farmers to producing a massive amount of manufactured goods on the planet, how could you possibly come to the conclusion that it is a zero sum game?

>Rising a country out of poverty is close to zero sum

This is obviously false. When a poor country becomes developed, the net productive capacity of humanity increases.

I think the "elephan curve" described above contradicts your point. We see 80% growth near the bottom of the world income distribution, and ~0% growth at the worst point for the American/ developed world middle class. If it was zero sum, there would have to be some negative growth somewhere.

The whole world is lifting itself into wealth, despite the hand-wringing of pessimists. It's awesome!