Explanations for poverty New Right Key point Criticisms Developed by Charles Murray (1996) This theory blames the There is an underclass in society that poor for being poor and includes those living poverty. therefore stereotypes and The poor are dependent on benefits stigmatises those in and welfare and this takes away the poverty. incentive to work. Some critics argue that the Single-parenthood and underclass does not exist. unemployment causes the underclass. State benefits are too generous and makes poverty worse by creating welfare dependency. Social Key Points Criticisms Exclusion Developed by Burchardt et al. (2002) Not all people who Some groups of people are excluded experience these types of from being able to participate in social exclusion experience society. poverty. They are unable to buy the goods and services they need, feel they Stereotypical to a certain cannot participate or make a valuable point. contribution to society in a political or economic manner. These people are suffering from low income, poor housing, poor skills, family breakdown and live in high crime areas and as a consequence are disadvantaged throughout the generations. Marxism Key Points Criticisms Capitalism creates wealth for the There is a minimum wage owners and those in power, and for all employees. therefore produces poverty amongst Trade unions support among sections of the working class. employees to achieve The fear of poverty can keep higher wages. workers disciplined. If people Many employers have a demand higher wages then bonus or share schemes for employers can threaten to replace their workers. them with others who want their Would communism really jobs. the answer?
Explanations for poverty New Right Key point Developed by Charles Murray (1996) There is an underclass in society that includes those living poverty. The poor are dependent on benefits and welfare and this takes away the incentive to work. Single-parenthood and unemployment causes the underclass. State benefits are too generous and makes poverty worse by creating welfare dependency. Criticisms This theory blames the poor for being poor and therefore stereotypes and stigmatises those in poverty. Some critics argue that the underclass does not exist. Social Exclusion Key Points Developed by Burchardt et al. (2002) Some groups of people are excluded from being able to participate in society. They are unable to buy the goods and services they need, feel they cannot participate or make a valuable contribution to society in a political or economic manner. These people are suffering from low income, poor housing, poor skills, family breakdown and live in high crime areas and as a consequence are disadvantaged throughout the generations. Criticisms Not all people who experience these types of social exclusion experience poverty. Stereotypical to a certain point. Marxism Key Points Capitalism creates wealth for the owners and those in power, and therefore produces poverty amongst among sections of the working class. The fear of poverty can keep workers disciplined. If people demand higher wages then employers can threaten to replace them with others who want their jobs. Criticisms There is a minimum wage for all employees. Trade unions support employees to achieve higher wages. Many employers have a bonus or share schemes for their workers. Would communism really the answer?
4._stratification_and_inequality_study_guide.docx