A New Understanding of Poverty - 9780255366380

This groundbreaking study on the measurement of poverty shows how policy in this field has taken a wrong turn with disastrous results. In recent years, poverty has generally been understood in “relative” terms: people are regarded as poor if they earn less than some benchmark relative to average earnings. One perverse result of such relative poverty measures amongst many is that poverty often declines in a serious recession when those who are better paid lose their jobs. The policy response of income transfers, which are used to address the perceived problem of relative poverty, has often led to serious problems that actually reduce long-term opportunities for poorer people. The author proposes an entirely new way of measuring poverty. If this measure was applied, public policy would orientate itself toward creating the conditions that allowed the poor to become better off. Such a strategy would focus not only on ensuring economic growth and more labor market participation, but also on supply-side reforms that would reduce the cost of living for the poor. This monograph is essential reading for all involved in the poverty debate..

Informazioni bibliografiche

• Titolo del Libro in lingua: A New Understanding of Poverty
• Lingua: English
• Autori :  Kristian Niemietz John Meadowcroft
• Editore: Renouf Pub Co Ltd
• Collana: Renouf Pub Co Ltd (Paperback)
• Data di Pubblicazione: 01 Gennaio '11
• Genere: SOCIAL SCIENCE
• Pagine: 247
• EAN-13: 9780255366380