The Elements of Continuity and Change in the Ways in Which Poverty Has Been Defined - Term Paper Example

Elements of continuity and change in poverty between 1880 and the present Name Institution Course Tutor Date Elements of continuity and change in poverty between 1880 and the present Introduction Poverty is a universal phenomenon that has been part of society since time immemorial; it is an element, which defines the ways of living of the society. In other words, it is an inevitable state of the society, which has existed since the beginning of time. Ideally, poverty stems from the levels of inequality and social stratification in the society (Pantazis, Gordon and Levitas, 2006). From a worldview spectacle, poverty is a state that has gone through different transitions of continuity and change. Therefore, it is precisely clear that it is a universal social concern that governments and institutions have endeavored to tackle with utmost dedication. Governmental and institutional social policies since the 1880s to the present have undergone major transitions that have defined and explained poverty. This implies that the society is dynamic, and social change is an inevitable element that affects the building blocks of society. Thus, since the 1880s to the present, there have been diverse elements and factors that have shaped poverty levels around the world. The period between 1800 and 1930s presented significant awakenings about the definition, investigation and measurement of poverty. The inter-war periods between 1919 and 1950 saw changes and continuity in the elements of poverty around the globe. Increased social change and research studies between the 1960s and 1990s heightened the need to investigate and understand poverty; since, it was expanding its influence in society. Since 2000 to the present, poverty has become a global concern, with governments and international bodies joining hands to alleviate its negative effects (Smith, Dorling and Shaw, 2001). In light of the prevailing trends of poverty on a global stage, developing countries have experienced intense poverty levels. This is attributed to the economic, political and social factors employed in the respective countries. The level of human development in developing countries has performed dismally compared to the developed world. However, it is worth noting that the developed world is also putting immense efforts to combat poverty. In light of this, it is notable to affirm that poverty is a global social and economic concern. Therefore, it is imperative to comprehend the word poverty in order to grasp it from an in-depth perspective. Poverty refers to the state of lacking significant material possessions to provide for basic needs. Indeed, poverty is an experience that has continued to influence the society in many spectrums. This means that poverty influences social policies of the society in many ways. This paper seeks to conduct a critical evaluation of the elements of continuity and change in the ways in which poverty has been defined, investigated and explained during the period of 1880 to the present. A critical analysis of the diverse elements will certainly unearth the trends that have shaped the phenomenon over the years. How poverty has been defined It is interesting to note that poverty has taken diverse dimensions in respect to its definitions over the years. This implies that shifting trends in society have triggered how different people and institutions define poverty. Perhaps, this is because poverty is an aspect that has had a continuous influence on human development. Firstly, poverty takes the dimension of material lack or want. This posits that the lack of or little material possessions like food, shelter and clothing leads to poverty. It is notable to assert that the lack of material possession is not a recent phenomenon, but has been in the realms of the society for a long time. Since the 1880s, material deprivation became part of human life, with a section of the society languishing in little or no material possessions to support the ever-increasing demands of life. Traditionally, especially during the latter part of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century, food, shelter and clothing were the most significant material possessions; hence, the lack or insufficiency of these elements meant that poverty was creeping in vividly (Williams, 2008). By mid 1970s, social dynamics had taken major twists in the realms of the society because of the increasing demands and high living standards (Atkinson, 1995). Therefore, material possessions included other assets like furniture and electronic gadgets. Since 2000, social change has contributed significantly in expanding the scope of material possessions; hence, portraying that the definition of poverty has changed across the periods (Serr 2006). However, it is worth noting that there is the element of continuity in the definition of poverty as the deprivation of essential needs because of low-income capacity. The second dimension that seeks to define poverty is capacity deprivation. Simply put, this describes what a person can and cannot do, what can and cannot be. This element goes beyond material deprivation and enters the realm of human potential and physical capacity. Therefore, the inabilities of a person to have skills that contribute to human development signify a level of poverty. In most cases, the lack of skills and physical capacities deprives one of self-respect. On a conventional spectrum, especially in the 1880s, human skills did not contribute much to the definition of poverty. Largely, insufficiency of material possessions defined poverty, towards the end of the 19th century and the earlier periods of the 20th century (Crafts, Gazeley and Newell, 2007). However, as technological invention was taking root in Europe, the lack of pertinent human skills and potential was described as part of poverty. This describes the element of change in defining and explaining poverty. A critical analysis of the definitions of poverty above displays the elements of continuity and change concerning the universal phenomenon. From the analysis, it is precise that there is a significant relationship between specific periods and the definition, as well as the explanation of poverty. There is evidence of continuity and change in respect to poverty levels, across the diverse periods from the late 19th century to the present time. Social change is critical in explaining the shifting trends in poverty levels, the definition and explanation of insufficiency, and its impact on human development. Likewise, it is elemental to point out that there is evidence of continuity in explaining poverty. This point highlights that poverty is not a random aspect, but it has continued to exist in the society over the years. Additionally, it is apparent that poverty stems from elements in the society that have had a continuous effect; hence, the reason for its incessant presence. Measuring poverty At this point, it is imperative to point out that poverty is a multi-dimensional aspect that is proportionally related to diverse elements in the society. In this respect, measuring income poverty is not enough in knowing the extent of poverty in a population. During the 1800s, it was the duty of the government to measure poverty levels in order to make informed decisions on how to combat it. Social policies on poverty were stipulated in relation to the degree of measurement in a population. During the interwar periods, Britain measured poverty levels in order to determine the policies that would work vehemently in enhancing sustainability in the population (Constantine 1990, 40). Undoubtedly, there was need to introduce viable ways of dealing with economic and social deprivation among the population. On the same note, levels of measurement are manifest in the present times, with governments and institutions evaluating statistics in order to comprehend the scope of poverty, and deal with its unrelenting effects on the society’s wellbeing. From the 1990s to the present, measuring poverty puts into consideration the following elements: the level of unemployment, insufficient education, poor health, and lack of proper housing, degree of starvation and lack of access to public services (Duclos and Araar, 2006) .These elements were, and still are pivotal in measuring poverty. Measuring poverty involves two levels, the absolute and relative poverty levels. Absolute poverty refers to the number of people living below a certain set standard. This refers to the number of people in a population who are not able to afford basic commodities and services (Ravallion, M. (1998). On the other hand, relative poverty refers to the level of poverty dependent on social context. This measure evaluates the extent to which a population’s financial resources drop below the average income threshold of the economy. It is evidently clear that living standards have grown tremendously since the turn of the 21st century because of increased rates of employment and sustained growth, but the levels of inequality have gradually increased; hence, paving way for differentiations in wealth and income gain. This implies that elements of continuity and change in poverty are evident in the levels of measurement. Thus, it is possible to evaluate poverty using the statistics got from measuring poverty in the different periods since the 1880s. A critical analysis of the periods shows that there have been changes in the factors that affect measurement of poverty. For instance, the rate of employment has been gradually increasing in Britain since the end of the Second World War; hence, affecting the relative poverty index of the population. In addition, developing countries have also been experiencing a high turnover in the rate of employment; hence, influencing the statistics got from either relative or absolute poverty indexes (Devas, 2004). Therefore, poverty is a multidimensional aspect that continues to affect the society in different ways. The aims and objectives of research and researchers in comprehending poverty Poverty is a large-scale social concern, both developing and developed countries have continued to research on the phenomenon to come up with feasible ways of countering its effects. Though developed countries have undergone major breakthroughs in dealing with poverty, it is apparent that governments and organizations around the world have endeavored to address the issue. A critical analysis of the period between 2000 and the present shows that it is not only the duty of the government to address poverty issues, but international bodies and researchers are stepping up their efforts in tackling the global social concern. Researchers are significant in addressing poverty; their aims and objectives are critical in understanding poverty in an in-depth dimension (Smith, Dorling and Shaw, 2001). Similarly, research is instrumental in comprehending the historical and present dimensions of poverty. Researchers aim at studying poverty in order to understand the factors that contribute to its unrelenting influence to the society. Consequently, the primary aim is to help in the formulation of policies that will play leading roles in abolishing poverty in the society (McGee and Brock, 2002). Researchers aim at advocating for better social conditions for the suffering populations. They act as instruments and platforms of triggering governments to act amicably on the issue of poverty. Historically, the primary objective of researchers was to study urban and rural populations to establish the trends in poverty as well as designing frameworks of dealing with the effects of social change (Stewart, 2005). Moreover, researchers aimed at comprehending the transitions of poverty trends between different periods from 1880 and the present. The objective of the researchers was to measure the level of changes in poverty level from one period to another. This meant that investigation, definition and measurement of poverty were greatly influenced by the shifting trends in poverty levels. Furthermore, researchers aimed at studying the levels of continuity in poverty. This explains the multi-disciplinary approach that views poverty as stemming from an array of factors that have had a continuous effect on diverse populations. The 21st century presents itself with numerous researchers who are still engaged in understanding the scope of poverty. Poverty is still widely spread in the world today. Eradicating poverty is one of the primary millennium development goals. Hence, researchers are important tools in helping in the realization of the goals. Presently, researchers are committed in grasping the scope of the phenomenon and finding ways of dealing with it in a given social context (Brainard, 2009). Given the continuity nature of poverty, researchers are deliberate in analyzing the social and economic factors that contribute to the increase in poverty. Both in the developed and developing nations, the objective of researchers is to evaluate tendencies in social change, and give a broad spectrum of its impact in the society. Similarly, research as a form of study has had significant objectives in shaping poverty as a global social spectrum. The prime objective of research has been to understand the theoretical scope of poverty, and find factors surrounding material and physical deprivation in a given population (Ziliak, 2006). It has had an investigatory role of understanding poverty. This depicts that research has been imperative in investigating the continuous effect on diverse population around the world. In this respect, it is significant to note that research has acted as the bridge between poverty levels and human development. Simply put, it is the tool of understanding the social dynamics of a given population, and designing policies, which will help in combating poverty. Another aim of research that has transcended the periods from the late 19th century to the present is the need to measure poverty levels. Measurement of poverty levels has been instrumental in determining government and social policies. Measuring levels of poverty in diverse populations has made it possible for international institutions to give priority to poverty-stricken areas, in an attempt to enhance human development. In light of this, it is critical to assert that over the years, research has played a significant role in diversifying the investigation and evaluation of poverty; hence, making it possible to study the elements of continuity and change. How different forms of research or the findings of any particular studies influenced government and social policies Indeed, it is explicit that studies on poverty have had profound effects on the role of the government as the primary custodian of the needs of the people. Research has played a leading role in influencing the shifting trends in human development (White, 2009). Human development has been the pivotal concern of institutions and governments since the 1800s to the present. It is during this time that industrial and agrarian revolutions were having huge impacts in Europe. Hence, poverty was a major concern to governments and institutions at the time. Given that, poverty was and still is a major social concern in the world, social policies on poverty became pertinent in addressing its impact on human development. In reference to the magnitude of poverty in the society, various studies concerning the phenomenon have consequently affected governments’ actions and social policies. Particularly in Great Britain, researches have contributed significantly in shaping the government’s plans on poverty. Certainly, findings in various studies have played instrumental roles in triggering diverse actions from government and social policies. Research findings are critical elements that elaborate explicitly on the level of continuity and change in reference to poverty. A critical analysis of various forms of research in Great Britain portray that there are elements of continuity and change in the different ways, in which the government responded to poverty. Formulation of social policies displayed the magnitude of continuity and change in the levels of poverty (Martin, 1996). In other words, the governmental and institutional policies resonated with the prevailing poverty trends. Seebohm Rowntree conducted a study in 1899 that was influential in determining social policies in Britain, and consequently in the global stage. His study, based on urban life, was to research on the conditions that control the wage-earning class in the urban areas. Moreover, his study was elemental in studying poverty and unearthing its consequences in the society. Collecting information about income from households, Rowntree’s research was critical in developing the idea of the poverty line (Walsh, Stephens and Moore, 2000). Certainly, Rowntree’s study on poverty had a profound effect on social policy and the government’s commitment in handling poverty. Through his study, the idea of the poverty line has been used to set a standard of measuring poverty around the world (Court, 1965). The government introduces social reforms in urban areas in reference to the prevailing economic and social trends. It is evident that people have different wage capacities; hence, making it possible for inequalities to exist in society. In this respect, Rowntree’s study was, and is still relevant in today’s world, since it influences government and social policies on alleviating poverty in the urban centres. Rowntree conducted two more studies, in 1941 and 1950. The studies showed differences from the original study in 1899. This depicts that there were elements of change concerning poverty in the different periods. The changes, attributed to social change showed that indeed, the society was dynamic, and multiple social and economic factors affected its growth (Webb, 2002). Therefore, the studies contributed significantly in influencing the formulation of social policies especially during the inter-war periods. An analysis of the social changes emanating from the different periods triggered the government to come up with policies to address the issues. The 1950 study found out that the introduction of the welfare state was largely responsible for the eradication of poverty; hence, influencing more policies to combat poverty (Brandes, 2006). From the 1970s to the present, researches on poverty have proved significant in controlling the actions of the government and institutions in formulating policies that seek to address the social concern. Studies unearth the changes that the society has gone through in respect to poverty, and put forward measures of articulating the issues vehemently. Research is significant in evaluating the efforts of governments in dealing with poverty, from a historical perspective and current trends (Goldstein and Sachs, 1984). This is vital in identifying lapses and areas of progress in the issue. Analysis of the conventional and current social policies shows that elements of continuity and social change are evident in the society. In this respect, it is precisely clear that studies are imperative in evaluating the elements of continuity and change in poverty. Differences between popular and academic understandings of poverty As mentioned above, poverty is a state of society that elicits different understandings depending on social context and the population in question. Multiple aspects seek to investigate, and define poverty. Thus, it is vital to highlight that popular and academic understandings of poverty give divergent views about the phenomenon. The understanding of poverty often depends on who asks the question, how it is comprehended, and the response towards it. Popular understandings of poverty display the beliefs about poverty, which have transcended since the 19th century to the 21st century. Firstly, the popular understanding of poverty stems from the common belief that the lack of income is at the core of the phenomenon (Roberts, D. (2006). Without a sufficient income, one qualifies to be poor. Ideally, it is true that insufficiency in income is an indication of poverty, but this is a shallow way of understanding poverty. During the 1880s and inter-war periods (1918-1940), the lack of income translated to one being poor. The situation has been the same from the early 2000s to the present, whereby poverty is still measured based on income capacity. Though this is a disputed ground in the present times, it is evident that there are still social contexts that measure poverty based on income levels. Another popular understanding of poverty that has taken root in various contexts is the belief that the developed world does not struggle with poverty levels. During the industrial and agrarian revolutions, the developed countries got labour from developing countries especially from Africa, because of the notion that these countries were poor. This led to the popular understanding that poverty was rooted in less developed countries because they lacked the infrastructure to enhance development in their populations. Certainly, it is precise that levels of poverty are high in developing countries than in developed countries. This notion influenced the measurement and investigation of poverty across the periods between 1880 and the present. Measurement of poverty was largely based on the prevailing trends in developing countries. Currently, the international community views poverty as a global phenomenon, though much of its effects are in the developing world. A critical analysis of this point posits that the understanding of poverty has continually changed over the years since the latter parts of the 19th century. The 20th century experienced significant transitions in the understanding of poverty, with nations and institutions defining poverty based on the social context during respective periods. In this respect, elements of continuity and change are explicit in the popular understandings of poverty from the 1880s to the present. On the contrary, academic understandings of poverty give a different picture from the popular understandings. To begin with, academic understanding of poverty realizes that poverty goes beyond lack of material possessions. Unlike the popular understanding, academicians understand that poverty stems from a multi-dimensional dimension (Nallari, R and Griffith, 2011). This implies that it is not just the insufficiency of material possessions, but also the lack of a feasible social orientation leads to poverty. In this sense, lacking a viable social environment denies one the capacity to progress, and decreases the potential of human development. It was not until after the Second World War in the late 1940s, that people realized the impact of social environment in human development (Townsend, 1954). From 2000 to the present, governments realize the significance social policies in eradicating poverty. This is a pertinent shift from the belief of the late 19th century to first quarter of the 20th century. Another academic understanding of poverty is in its measurement and investigation. In this respect, measuring poverty does not stem from a vacuum; statistics and facts follow poverty investigation. This is an element, which recognizes poverty as a universal social problem; since, there is evidence of its existence around the world. This disqualifies the idea, that it is only the developing countries with their populations languishing in poverty. In this respect, academic understanding goes beyond the superficial layout of poverty, and investigates facts to have a deeper comprehension of the social concern (International Movement, 2007). How much has genuinely changed, or stayed the same, when we consider the period as a whole, in terms of how we measure, define, understand and explain poverty and our responses to it? Indeed, it is explicitly evident that over the years, there has been changes in the way we define, measure and understand poverty. To begin with, measuring poverty has shifted from a mere lack of material possessions or insufficient income, to include social aspects. It is not only the physical deprivation, but also the lack of social capacity that leads to a poor population. (Devine, F. (1997). In this respect, the understanding of poverty has shifted from the basis of one factor to a multi-dimensional realm. In this sense, there are diverse elements that define poverty. Secondly, poverty has become a global phenomenon, unlike in the earlier years where it was associated with certain parts of the world, and social contexts. Certainly, that has changed, with the international community recognizing the need to eradicate poverty from a global stage. It is not only the duty of the government, but also international bodies have joined in the endeavour to lessen the negative impacts of poverty. (Maconick, 2002). This has contributed significantly in changing the understanding of poverty. On the other hand, there are elements that have remained the same in respect to the understanding and measurement of poverty. The idea of poverty being a social concern in the society has not changed; hence, triggering governments to instil effort of combating the issue. Poverty is still a problem in many parts of the world; hence, eradicating it is part of the millennium development goals. Moreover, the conception of material deprivation as a yardstick of poverty is still the same in various social contexts. People still belief that insufficiency of income and physical materials is a measure of poverty. This popular culture is still dominating the circles of the society, with people believing that the capacity to have sufficient income is critical in getting rid of poverty (Ellis, 2000). Undoubtedly, the facts about poverty trigger intense responses from across the divide; people have different reactions about the phenomenon. Ideally, the society is committed in instituting feasible parameters of ensuring that poverty does not overwhelm the population. It has become a collective responsibility from governmental and institutional structures to formulate viable policies of ensuring that poverty does not charge the population beyond limits (Walker, R, Lawson, R and Townsend, P. (1984). It is evident that poverty is inevitable, as long as social and economic inequalities remain in the society. People have responded positively to the social problem, with majority of the population putting measures to eliminate the problem. Providing economic opportunities and enhancing human development are prime elements that contribute significantly in the alleviation of poverty. Of course, concerted efforts are imperative in dealing with the prevailing trends in poverty. As a global social concern, there is dire need for the society to institute viable mechanisms of dealing with the issue. Conclusion In conclusion, it is apparent that poverty is a social phenomenon that has continued to influence the society in many ways; the social and economic spheres are the most affected by the phenomenon. Certainly, it is a global aspect that has raised eyebrows since the 1880s to the present. In light of this, it is worth affirming that poverty is a universal aspect that has triggered public policy in both developed and developing countries. Governments and social institutions have shown considerable interest in addressing the issue on a global scale. Insufficiency in material and physical possessions has dominated the spheres of poverty for more than one century. The definition of poverty has been defined largely on the incapacity of people to provide for their needs. The inability to handle the demands of life both economically and socially has triggered the increase in poverty, despite ambitious plans of eradicating the trend. Especially in the developed countries, much is at stake in dealing with the social scourge. From a critical point of view, it is evident that the definition, investigation and understanding of poverty has undergone diverse transitions since the 1880s to the present; hence, portraying elements of continuity and change in its evaluation. The definition and investigation of poverty in reference to the periods between 1880 and the present displays diverse ideas, and conceptions about the social phenomena. Researchers have relied on conducting studies in attempts to understand the scopes of poverty across the different periods and ascertain the prime factors that surround poverty levels in the society. It is worth highlighting that research studies have become instrumental in influencing governments and institutions to come up with policies that address the phenomenon. In this respect, it is apparent that the social scourge is an international phenomenon that attracts social institutions from all spectrums to address its incessancy. Certainly, elements of continuity and change have contributed significantly in defining and investigating poverty largely. Lastly, the changes in the elements of poverty over the years show that the society is dynamic, while the continuity in the elements of poverty portrays the inevitability of inequalities in the society. 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