Poverty
WORKING PAPER SERIES
Theories of Poverty and Anti-Poverty Programs in Community Development
Ted K. Bradshaw RPRC Working Paper No. 06-05 February, 2006
Rural Poverty Research Center http://www.rprconline.org/ RUPRI Rural Poverty Research Center 214 Middlebush Hall University of Missouri Columbia MO 65211-6200 PH 573 882-0316 RUPRI Rural Poverty Research Center Oregon State University 213 Ballard Hall Corvallis OR 97331-3601 PH 541 737-1442
Theories of Poverty and Anti-Poverty Programs in Community Development
Ted K. Bradshaw Human and Community Development Department University of California, Davis, CA 95616 tkbradshaw@ucdavis.edu August 2005
Abstract:
In this paper I explore how five competing theories of poverty shape anti-poverty strategies. Since most rural community development efforts aim to relieve causes or symptoms of poverty, it makes a difference which theory of poverty is believed to be responsible for the problem being addressed. In this paper five theories of poverty are distilled from the literature. It will be shown that these theories of poverty place its origin from 1) individual deficiencies, 2) cultural belief systems that support subcultures in poverty, 3) political-economic distortions, 4) geographical disparities, or 5) cumulative and circumstantial origins. Then, I show how each theory of poverty finds expression in common policy discussion and community development programs aimed to address the causes of poverty. Building a full understanding of each of these competing theories of poverty shows how they shape different community development approaches. While no one theory explains all instances of poverty, this paper aims to show how community development practices that address the complex and overlapping sources of poverty more effectively reduce poverty compared to programs that address a single theory.
* Revision of papers presented at the meetings of the Community Development Society (2001) and the Rural Sociology
Theories of Poverty and Anti-Poverty Programs in Community Development
Ted K. Bradshaw RPRC Working Paper No. 06-05 February, 2006
Rural Poverty Research Center http://www.rprconline.org/ RUPRI Rural Poverty Research Center 214 Middlebush Hall University of Missouri Columbia MO 65211-6200 PH 573 882-0316 RUPRI Rural Poverty Research Center Oregon State University 213 Ballard Hall Corvallis OR 97331-3601 PH 541 737-1442
Theories of Poverty and Anti-Poverty Programs in Community Development
Ted K. Bradshaw Human and Community Development Department University of California, Davis, CA 95616 tkbradshaw@ucdavis.edu August 2005
Abstract:
In this paper I explore how five competing theories of poverty shape anti-poverty strategies. Since most rural community development efforts aim to relieve causes or symptoms of poverty, it makes a difference which theory of poverty is believed to be responsible for the problem being addressed. In this paper five theories of poverty are distilled from the literature. It will be shown that these theories of poverty place its origin from 1) individual deficiencies, 2) cultural belief systems that support subcultures in poverty, 3) political-economic distortions, 4) geographical disparities, or 5) cumulative and circumstantial origins. Then, I show how each theory of poverty finds expression in common policy discussion and community development programs aimed to address the causes of poverty. Building a full understanding of each of these competing theories of poverty shows how they shape different community development approaches. While no one theory explains all instances of poverty, this paper aims to show how community development practices that address the complex and overlapping sources of poverty more effectively reduce poverty compared to programs that address a single theory.
* Revision of papers presented at the meetings of the Community Development Society (2001) and the Rural Sociology