Poverty exists when people cannot obtain the necessities to live with dignity. According to the Campaign, poverty is more than an economic problem. It is a complex issue rooted in the social, political as well as economic systems that govern our society.
What Causes Poverty?
Poverty is caused by the economic as well as social systems that create an uneven distribution of resources and power and by people’s limited ability to influence the decisions that affect their lives. It is a far greater complex issue, and it is different for everyone—the circumstances that cause it are personal, social, political as well as economic.
Ultimately, it is a result of an uneven distribution of resources as well as power. It is a living condition, not a personal flaw.
Poverty is a violation of human rights. Poverty is dire for our society.
It is the consequence of many different factors, including race, age, gender, sexual orientation and disability. A person’s place in society, the amount of money they make and the resources they possess determine whether or not they will be in povert. After all, it affects everyone as well as it can happen to even the most well-off people in society.
Dimensions of Poverty
Poverty is a situation that prevents individuals from living a life of dignity and from realizing their basic needs. Poverty also generates marginalization, inequality and social exclusion. Once in a poverty situation, an individual may not be able to escape as well as create a cycle of poverty. There are different dimensions to poverty.
- The first dimension is material poverty. This refers to the lack of resources to cover the individual’s basic needs.
- The second is economic poverty. This is a situation in which the resources present do not generate income.
- The third is social poverty which refers to the lack of time for the individual to realize their rights.
- The fourth is cultural poverty, which excludes the individual from fulfilling basic artistic needs.
- The fifth is political poverty which refers to the exclusion from the political process.
Poverty in India
Poverty in India has increased exponentially. The same is true for other developing countries. Deprivation can cause harm to the society, health as well as the well-being of an individual and can lead to social unrest.
Poverty and the poor should not be seen merely as a problem of distribution but also as a production problem. This is because poverty results from a situation where a person cannot earn a living wage to meet their basic needs. The causes are many, including the lack of appropriate productive technologies, unreliable markets, as well as inappropriate institutions.
Social inequality has been a dominant feature of Indian society and has mutually reinforced poverty and its consequences.
The situation has been exacerbated because the gap between the rich and poor has been growing. This has increased the number of the poor and their impoverishment.
For example, the main reason that families in India send their children to work instead of school is that they need the income to meet their essential needs.
However, the problem of poverty is not economic; it is a moral, ethical as well as spiritual problem. We need to change our attitude towards the poor. We need to stop seeing them as being inferior to us.
How Can We End Poverty?
The Campaign believes that the solution to poverty is economic and social justice. Social Justice is a goal achieved by guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities to all people. Economic Justice is the right to a fair share of available resources and options. To achieve social and economic justice, the Campaign endorses the following principles:
Equality and justice – guarantee equal rights and opportunities for all people.
Economic Security – provide education, healthcare, housing, and a decent income for everyone.
Work and Opportunity – provide jobs and training for all who can work. Create economic opportunities to repair the damage of past injustices.
Racial Justice and Equality – guarantee equality of rights, opportunities, and justice.
Community Empowerment – provide the resources and knowledge to help communities make their own decisions and solve their problems.
Affordable – jobs, education and housing should be accessible to all.
Enforceable – secured by a robust public sector and an independent judiciary.
Economic Justice – ensure that everyone has a fair share of the resources of our country.
Equity – equal access to resources and opportunities.
Political Democracy – equal participation in the decision-making processes of our society.
Women’s Rights – equal rights for women and men.
Ecological Stability – guarantees a healthy environment for present and future generations.
Wrap Up
As a result, poverty is perpetuated by the systemic exclusion of people and groups targeted by racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. It is the outcome of the way we organize our economy, the decisions we make, how we think, and how we act by ourselves and with others. However, it is up to us to strive for a change; together, we make a difference in the world!
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