Understanding Global Poverty: Causes, Solutions, and Capabilities

Description

Understanding Global Poverty introduces students to the study and analysis of poverty, helping them to understand why it is pervasive across human societies, and how it can be reduced through proven policy solutions. The book uses the capabilities and human development approach to foreground the human aspects of poverty, keeping the voices, experiences, and needs of the world’s poor central to the analysis. Starting with definitions and measurement, the book goes on to explore the causes of poverty and how poverty reduction programs and policy have responded in practice. The book also reflects on the ethics of why we should work to reduce poverty and what actions readers themselves can take. This new edition has been revised and updated throughout, featuring: • a new chapter on migration and refugees • additional international examples, including material on Mexico, Covid-19 in global perspective, and South–South development initiatives • information on careers in international development • insights into how various forms of social difference, including race, ethnicity, social class, gender, and sexuality relate to poverty Fully interdisciplinary in approach, the book is also supplemented with case studies, discussion questions, and further reading suggestions in order to support learning. Perfect as an introductory textbook for students across sociology, global development, political science, anthropology, public health, and economics, Understanding Global Poverty will also be a valuable resource to policy makers and development practitioners. Cover Half Title Endorsement Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Figures Contributors Preface Acknowledgments 1 Building a Framework for Understanding Poverty Learning Objectives Introduction What Is Poverty? Income Definitions of Poverty The Capabilities Approach Defining the Central Capabilities Other Important Concepts in the Capabilities Approach Poverty and Capabilities Wellbeing and Happiness Critiques of the Capabilities Approach This Book’s Method Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading 2 Development and its Debates Learning Objectives Introduction What Is Development? Human Development: Strengthening Capabilities Development or Poverty Reduction or Poverty Eradication? Who Does Development? The “Rise of the South,” and Insiders vs. Outsiders Problematizing Development The Aid Debate Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Notes Further Reading 3 Multidimensional Measurements of Poverty and Wellbeing Learning Objectives Vignette 3.1 Introduction Establishing a Poverty Line Monetary Measures of Poverty Multidimensional Measures Participatory Poverty Assessments How Much Overlap Is There Between These Measures? Wellbeing Measures Measurement Difficulties Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading 4 Health and Poverty Learning Objectives Introduction Maternal Mortality Vignette 4.1 Maternal Mortality (Eclampsia) Analysis of Disease (Eclampsia) and Its Treatment in One Patient A Public Health Analysis of Eclampsia A Capabilities Analysis: Eclampsia The Role of Poverty Yet Another Layer of Discussion Summary Hepatitis C Vignette 4.2 Hepatitis C Analysis of Disease (Hepatitis C) and Its Treatment in One Patient Public Health Analysis Capabilities Analysis The Role of Poverty Human Rights Analysis (Hepatitis C) Summary Malaria Vignette 4.3 Malaria Analysis of Disease and Treatment in One Patient: Malaria Public Health Analysis Capabilities The Role of Poverty Human Rights Summary Poverty Reduction and Health: Some Major Debates Conclusion Health, Capabilities, and the Covid-19 Pandemic: an Update to this Chapter The Disease Impact of Covid-19 On Capabilities Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading 5 Geographical and Spatial Poverty Learning Objectives Introduction The Disease Burden Temperature, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Endowments Remoteness and Integration The Problem of Neighbors Geography and Institutions Spatial Poverty and Capabilities Policy Solutions Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading 6 Race, Class, Gender, and Poverty Learning Objectives Vignette 6.1 Introduction Understanding Race and Ethnicity Understanding Social Class Understanding Gender and Sexuality Women and Girls, Poverty and Capabilities Women, Girls, and International Development Efforts Interlocking Identities and Capabilities Vignette 6.2 Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Notes Further Reading 7 State Institutions, Governance, and Poverty Learning Objectives Vignette 7.1 Introduction Definitions and Measures How Institutions Impact Poverty and Development Institutions and Capabilities The Importance of Democracy in Institutions and Governance What Shapes Institutions and Governance? Critiques of the Institutions/governance Perspective What Works to Get Better Institutions and Governance Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading 8 Conflict and Poverty Learning Objectives Vignette 8.1 Introduction How Poverty Causes Conflict How Conflict Causes Poverty at the Macro Level How Conflict Causes Poverty at the Micro Level Protecting People in Conflict Reconstruction, Recovery, and Reconciliation Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Notes Further Reading 9 Migration and Poverty Reduction: Balancing Human Security and National Security Learning Objectives Vignette: Human Security and National Security Along the United States–Mexico Border Introduction The Vocabulary of Migration Who Is a Migrant? Four Key Categories Useful Distinctions in the Vocabulary of Migration Why Migrate? The Aspirations–capabilities Framework Other Key Paradigms and Theories of Migration The Emergent Realities of Migration What Are the Key Migration Trends and Patterns? Economic Patterns and Trends Geographic Patterns and Trends Demographic Patterns and Trends Political Patterns and Trends What Are the Key Regimes and Agreements That Govern Migration? Human Rights Accords The Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compacts Labor Migration Accords The Intersections of Migration and Human Development How Might We Contextualize Migration and Capabilities? Garifuna Mixed Migration and Capabilities Labor Migration and the Unfreedom of Migrant Workers What Are the Key Policies at the Intersection of Migration and Capabilities? Policy Area: Improving Human Mobility and Capabilities Through Enhanced Labor Migration Management Policy Area: Improving Human Mobility and Capabilities Through Enhancements to the International Refugee Regime Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Notes Further Reading 10 Education as Poverty Reduction Learning Objectives Introduction Problems With Access Problems With Outcomes Education as a Development Strategy What Works to Improve Education? Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading 11 The Environment and Poverty Reduction Learning Objectives Vignette 11.1 Introduction Understanding Key Concepts Poverty–environment Relationships Capabilities and Environmental Conditions Case Studies Case Study 11.1 The Community Water Systems of Costa Rica Case Study 11.2 The Urban Settlement of La Carpio Case Study 11.3 Sustainable Development in Monteverde Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading 12 Financial Services for the Poor Learning Objectives Introduction Microfinance: Examples and Definitions Microfinance and Technology Microfinance and Capabilities Microfinance Debates Credit-Only or Credit-Plus? Ideological Disputes Around Microfinance Debates About Empowerment Microfinance’s Impacts at the Micro and Macro Levels Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Further Reading Conclusion: Ethics and Action – What Should You do about Global Poverty? Learning Objectives Introduction Ethical Principles Debates About Ethical Obligations What Should You Do? Give Money Make Different Choices Volunteer Study Programs Pursue a Career Educate Advocate Agitate Conclusion Discussion Questions Online Resources Notes Further Reading Appendix: Careers in International Development Index