50 theories on poverty

 

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The main cause of a poor person's poverty is his child.

Here are 50 theories and perspectives related to poverty, drawn from various academic disciplines:

1. **Absolute Poverty Theory**: Defines poverty based on a fixed threshold, usually measured by income, below which individuals cannot meet basic needs.

2. **Relative Poverty Theory**: Views poverty as being deprived relative to the society in which one lives, focusing on social exclusion and inequality.

3. **Cycle of Poverty Theory**: Argues that poverty is perpetuated across generations through a cycle of disadvantages in education, employment, and health.

4. **Social Exclusion Theory**: Suggests that poverty arises from being excluded from mainstream social, economic, and political opportunities.

5. **Culture of Poverty Theory**: Proposes that poverty creates a distinct culture with values and behaviors that perpetuate poverty across generations.

6. **Human Capital Theory**: Links poverty to a lack of education, skills, and knowledge, which reduces individuals' ability to secure well-paying jobs.

7. **Structural Poverty Theory**: Attributes poverty to structural factors in society, such as economic systems, political policies, and institutional practices.

8. **Feminization of Poverty Theory**: Highlights how women are disproportionately affected by poverty due to gender inequalities in wages, employment, and family responsibilities.

9. **Capability Approach**: Developed by Amartya Sen, this theory focuses on what individuals can do and be, emphasizing the importance of expanding people’s capabilities and freedoms.

10. **Marxist Theory of Poverty**: Argues that poverty is a result of the capitalist system, where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the working class impoverished.

11. **Dependency Theory**: Suggests that poverty in developing countries is a result of their dependence on wealthier nations, which exploit their resources.

12. **World-Systems Theory**: Similar to Dependency Theory, it posits that the global economic system is divided into core, semi-periphery, and periphery nations, with poverty concentrated in the periphery.

13. **Neoliberalism**: Argues that poverty is best addressed through market-based solutions, deregulation, and reducing the role of the state in the economy.

14. **Behavioral Poverty Theory**: Suggests that individual behaviors and choices, such as lack of motivation or poor work habits, contribute to poverty.

15. **Globalization Theory**: Examines how global economic processes, such as trade and investment, contribute to poverty, particularly in developing countries.

16. **Environmental Degradation Theory**: Links poverty to environmental degradation, where poor communities are most affected by the loss of natural resources.

17. **Urbanization and Poverty Theory**: Studies the relationship between rapid urbanization and the growth of poverty in cities, particularly in slums.

18. **Social Capital Theory**: Argues that poverty is related to a lack of social networks and relationships that can provide support and opportunities.

19. **Political Economy of Poverty**: Focuses on how political decisions and power structures influence poverty and wealth distribution.

20. **Modernization Theory**: Suggests that poverty is a result of traditional societies not yet having adopted modern economic and social practices.

21. **Economic Inequality Theory**: Examines how the unequal distribution of wealth and income contributes to poverty.

22. **Welfare State Theory**: Studies how government welfare policies and programs can reduce or exacerbate poverty.

23. **Labor Market Theory**: Investigates how conditions in the labor market, such as unemployment and low wages, contribute to poverty.

24. **Migration and Poverty Theory**: Examines how migration, both internal and international, impacts poverty levels in both sending and receiving regions.

25. **Intersectionality Theory**: Highlights how poverty is experienced differently based on intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and other identities.

26. **Rural Poverty Theory**: Focuses on the unique challenges of poverty in rural areas, such as lack of access to services and markets.

27. **Health and Poverty Theory**: Explores the link between poverty and poor health outcomes, including how poverty leads to inadequate healthcare access.

28. **Education and Poverty Theory**: Analyzes how lack of access to quality education perpetuates poverty.

29. **Social Mobility Theory**: Studies the opportunities for individuals to move out of poverty and how these are influenced by factors like education, employment, and social networks.

30. **Global Poverty Trap Theory**: Suggests that certain regions or countries are caught in a "poverty trap" where low income leads to low investment in health, education, and infrastructure, perpetuating poverty.

31. **Chronic Poverty Theory**: Focuses on those who remain in poverty for extended periods, often due to structural barriers or lack of resources.

32. **Asset-Based Poverty Theory**: Examines poverty in terms of the lack of assets, such as property, savings, or skills, rather than just income.

33. **Food Insecurity Theory**: Links poverty to lack of access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

34. **Social Welfare Theory**: Looks at how social welfare systems, including cash transfers and subsidies, can mitigate poverty.

35. **Rights-Based Approach to Poverty**: Views poverty as a violation of human rights, emphasizing the need for legal and social protections.

36. **Urban Poverty Trap Theory**: Suggests that urban poor are trapped in cycles of poverty due to factors like lack of affordable housing, poor education, and crime.

37. **Poverty and Mental Health Theory**: Explores how poverty affects mental health and how mental health issues can perpetuate poverty.

38. **Technological Change and Poverty Theory**: Examines how technological advancements impact poverty, either by creating opportunities or exacerbating inequalities.

39. **Poverty Measurement Theory**: Studies different ways to measure poverty, including income-based measures, multidimensional poverty indices, and subjective poverty assessments.

40. **Vulnerability Theory**: Focuses on how certain groups are more vulnerable to poverty due to factors like age, disability, or minority status.

41. **Gender and Development Theory**: Analyzes how gender relations impact development outcomes, including poverty.

42. **Postcolonial Poverty Theory**: Explores how the legacies of colonialism contribute to poverty in former colonies.

43. **Informal Economy Theory**: Investigates how participation in the informal economy, where jobs are unregulated and untaxed, relates to poverty.

44. **Child Poverty Theory**: Examines the specific causes and consequences of poverty among children.

45. **Elderly Poverty Theory**: Focuses on poverty among the elderly, often related to inadequate pensions and healthcare.

46. **Suburban Poverty Theory**: Studies the growing phenomenon of poverty in suburban areas, often overlooked in poverty research.

47. **Poverty and Crime Theory**: Explores the relationship between poverty and crime, including how poverty can lead to higher crime rates.

48. **Microfinance Theory**: Investigates how providing small loans to the poor can help lift them out of poverty.

49. **Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) Theory**: Analyzes how PRSPs, often developed by governments with international organizations, aim to reduce poverty.

50. **Population Growth and Poverty Theory**: Studies the relationship between high population growth rates and persistent poverty, particularly in developing countries.

These theories cover a wide range of perspectives and factors that contribute to the understanding of poverty in various contexts.