Poverty is Built by Design
Structural Inequality in America
Poverty in the United States is not merely a consequence of individual failings or bad luck; it is a systemic issue deeply embedded in the nation's economic and social structures. This perspective is increasingly supported by scholars and activists who argue that poverty is a result of deliberate policy choices and societal norms that favor the affluent while marginalizing the poor.
The Structural Roots of Poverty
Matthew Desmond, in his book "Poverty, By America,"[6] argues that poverty in the U.S. is a product of systems designed to benefit the wealthy at the expense of the poor. Desmond highlights how various mechanisms, such as tax codes, zoning laws, and labor practices, are structured to maintain economic disparities. For instance, the tax code is riddled with loopholes that allow the wealthy to evade taxes, resulting in significant revenue losses that could otherwise fund anti-poverty programs[3].
Desmond also points out that the exploitation of low-wage workers is a cornerstone of the American economy. Many well-off professionals benefit from the low wages paid to service workers, and investments often grow on the back of job cuts and reduced labor costs. This exploitation is further exacerbated by zoning laws that create housing scarcity, driving up property values and rents, which disproportionately affects low-income families[3].
The Role of Policy in Perpetuating Poverty
The COVID-19 pandemic provided a stark illustration of how policy can impact poverty levels. Temporary measures such as the expanded child tax credit, stimulus checks, and increased unemployment benefits significantly reduced poverty rates, particularly child poverty, by an estimated 40%[1]. This demonstrates that poverty is not an inevitable condition but can be mitigated through targeted policy interventions.
Mark Rank, in his book "The Poverty Paradox," echoes this sentiment, arguing that poverty is a societal choice rather than an unavoidable outcome. Rank suggests that the U.S. has historically focused on identifying who loses out in the economic game rather than addressing why the game produces losers in the first place. He uses the analogy of musical chairs to describe the American economic system, where there are always fewer opportunities (chairs) than people (players), ensuring that some will inevitably be left out[1].
The Intersection of Race and Poverty
Racial dynamics play a crucial role in the perpetuation of poverty in America. Desmond and other scholars note that economic policies and societal attitudes often disproportionately impact Black and Hispanic communities. Historical injustices and ongoing discrimination in housing, employment, and education contribute to higher poverty rates among these groups. Desmond calls for a collective effort to address these racial disparities and promote economic justice for all races[3].
Solutions and the Path Forward
Addressing poverty requires a multifaceted approach that includes policy reforms, societal shifts, and grassroots movements. Desmond advocates for holding the wealthy accountable through tax reforms and reallocating recovered funds to anti-poverty initiatives. He also emphasizes the importance of building multiracial coalitions to demand economic equity, drawing inspiration from historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.[3].
Rank suggests that improving wages for low-paid jobs and ensuring that full-time workers are not living in poverty are essential steps. He also highlights the need for a stronger social safety net to protect individuals from falling into poverty due to unforeseen circumstances like job loss or illness[1].
Citations:
[1] https://debateus.org/poverty-topic-daily/
[2] https://www.slu.edu/arts-and-sciences/political-science/academics/pdfs/spr2024-pols3800-structure-of-poverty-ochoa.pdf
[3] https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/21/theres-a-path-out-of-poverty-00097399
[4] https://www.politico.com/news/poverty
[5] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephan-a-schwartz-1785044_opinion-americas-poverty-is-built-by-design-activity-7066417809056043008-Fpbc
[6] Poverty, by America: Desmond, Matthew: 9780593239919: Amazon.com: Books
Acknowledgment
This article was written by Perplexity.ai* on 20240622 using the prompt: WRITE AN ARTICLE ABOUT "POVERTY IS BUILT BY DESIGN". Citation 6 to Amazon listing and image added by PM.
* [Perplexity](https://www.perplexity.ai/)
Thanks Judy.
I should have added a link to Mark Robert Rank's latest book* (see below). I'm reading it now. He's also author of four previous books on the poverty subject (highlights from Poverty Paradox):
"I have researched, taught, and written about poverty. In my opinion, there are few topics of greater importance. It is a dominant and disturbing feature of the American landscape. . . .
I first outlined the structural vulnerability perspective in my 1994 book, Living on the Edge: The Realities of Welfare in America, . . .
- The explanation of laziness or lack of motivation did not seem to apply to the vast majority of women and men I talked to. . . .
- Ten years later, I examined the topic of poverty in greater detail in the book, One Nation, Underprivileged: Why American Poverty Affects Us All. . . .
- A third book, Chasing the American Dream: Understanding What Shapes Our Fortunes, explored the meaning and pursuit of the American Dream. . . .
- Most recently, in the book Poorly Understood: What America Gets Wrong About Poverty, my coauthors and I discussed the various myths and misconceptions surrounding American poverty."
I expect to write further articles on this structural inequality and the political policies that construct and enforce it.
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*[The Poverty Paradox: Understanding Economic Hardship Amid American Prosperity - Kindle edition by Rank, Mark Robert. Politics & Social Sciences Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BYF5FPVH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_351_o00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)