Sociological Explanations of poverty

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Sociological Explanations of poverty

• An overview of the theoretical perspectives
  applied to the existence of poverty,

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Functionalists

• The poor are in some way less able, and less
  talented than everyone else.
• Inequality provides an incentive for people to
  better themselves and work harder.
• Poverty provides jobs for those whose task is to
  alleviate social problems.

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Critics of functionalism say

• This justifies social inequality.
• It assumes that people are motivated by the need
  for money.
• It doesnt really consider the ill-effects of
  poverty on the health of society.
• It assumes that social mobility is possible for
  the poor.

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Marxists

• Poverty is caused by capitalism.
• Capitalism concentrates wealth in the hands of
  the oligarchy.
• The rich have no interest in ending poverty.
• By focusing on the poor, we are distracted from
  the real cause of poverty, capitalism.

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Critics of the Marxists say

• It doesnt explain why some social groups are
  more vulnerable to poverty than others.
• Capitalism has removed absolute poverty from
  advanced industrial nations.
• The solution of a socialist revolution would not
  be acceptable to many people.

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Weberian theory

• Poverty is caused by a weak market position where
  groups have few skills to sell.
• It suggests that the solution to poverty is
  redistribution of wealth.

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Critics of Weber say

• This ignores the power of capitalists to control
  ideas and wealth.
• It blames the victim for poverty.
• Redistribution of income has not worked as a
  strategy.

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Named writers
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Useful American site

• http//oregonstate.edu/instruct/anth484/wpout.html

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The end

• For further details, you should do your own
  reading.
• Mrs Griffiths