Global Poverty

Introduction

Poverty is a major issue and developing countries are mainly affected by poverty. Existence of poverty has its functions and conflicts within society. Inequality and unemployment considered being the major reason for the existence of poverty. Various social causes, which are the reasons for poverty and they have to be addressed. Recent approaches like neo-liberalism and millennium development goals have defined targets for the reduction of poverty.

Discussion

Poverty

Each country defines poverty in its own ways; one cannot find particular definition for poverty. Generally, poverty can be defined as a deficiency of money or means of survival or state of being poor (Barker, 1997). Means of survival are considered as waste collection, roads, street lights, footpaths, transportation, safe drinking water, hygiene, electricity, and other infrastructure services.

In a study by The World Bank (2008) of global poverty, 1.3 billion people fall below the poverty line with an income of US $ 1.25 a day. We can see a wide gap between rich and poor in some developing countries as 2.5 billion People lives below the income of US $ 2 a day, which is more than 1/3rd of world's population.

Effects of poverty can be felt in society as a whole. Poverty is to social problem because it gives birth to various crimes like smuggling and mugging. Often poor people are to be involved in such crimes, and gets addicted to drugs.

Functionalists Perspective of the Poverty

Functionalists view poverty as a benefit of society, as it serves society in different ways. Few of the functions are described below.

The poor benefits the rich and wealthy, directly and indirectly, in many activities. They make life easier for affluent in many ways, performing their jobs while receiving low wages. Low income of poor allows the rich to spend their savings in different areas to play a part in economic development.

Poverty allows filling the job line that no one would want to perform. Poor serves their client as a heroin dealer, cheap liquors, pawn shops, prostitutes, etc.

Poor is useful for economic, such as buying day old bread, fruits and vegetables, and use second hand clothes that no one would wear. They are often reasons for the income of lawyers, doctors and tutors. Poor often supports medical experimentation as patients in research medical institutes for affluent.

Poor work as a measuring rod for status comparison, mainly for working class, which sustain distinction among them.

Poor pays a higher percentage of taxes to the government compared to the rest of the population, therefore subsidizing the governmental economy.

Conflict theories of Poverty

Karl Marx theory

Marx believed that due to unemployment and inequality, member of the working class may fall into poverty line (Marx, 1996). Marx does not blame poor or their culture for their poverty. Capitalism is a reason for poverty and inequality, and Marx believed that only working class has social power to defeat capitalism. Existence of poverty is advantageous for the ruling class. It helps to increase the motivation for workers to work.

Poverty and Stratification

Conflict claims that poverty originates from societal ...