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The Politics of Poverty

The Politics of Poverty. Poverty as Underclass. THE POVERTY OF THE UNDERCLASS. SCOPE OF POVERTY. Global Dimensions - 11 % OECD (6-23%), Canada = 13% - 1.4 billion on $1.25/3 billion on $2.50 - improving but deceptive Poverty in Canada - how much/who - debates.

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The Politics of Poverty

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  1. The Politics of Poverty Poverty as Underclass.

  2. THE POVERTY OF THE UNDERCLASS

  3. SCOPE OF POVERTY • Global Dimensions - 11 % OECD (6-23%), Canada = 13% - 1.4 billion on $1.25/3 billion on $2.50 - improving but deceptive • Poverty in Canada - how much/who - debates

  4. The politics of confusion Canada’s Child Poverty Rates • UNiCEF = 13.3% (LIM + Deprivation Index) = 24 % without govt transfers • OECD = LIM measure 16% > 12% >15 % • StatsCan = LiCO 18% > 9.5%

  5. FRAMING (MEASURING) POVERTY

  6. The Politics of Measurement • Before tax/transfer or After • LIM or LICO? • Short term / long term • Adults or children?

  7. Defining poverty * A human condition • Characterized by sustained or chronic deprivation • Resources, choices, security, power, participation • Necessary for enjoyment of adequate standard of living and rights (UNHCHR)

  8. Consequences of Poverty • Poverty Matters - increases possibility of making happen • Too much mattering - does poverty cause crime? - terrorism and poverty • Rioting in the streets: Lash of the Underclass - who’s to blame /what’s the causes - individual, institution/system (classes), - triangulated/situational

  9. Homelessness as street poverty • Defining? • Measuring? • Doing something about it?

  10. Food banks • Indicator of how Canada is faring? • Deflects from government obligations • Framing as charity/handouts vs tool for community building

  11. Rethinking Poverty/Putting it into Perspective • Not individual but embedded in wider frame - economic structures, power relations in society - neoliberalism - societal impacts/costs all Canadians Nat Council of Welfare (2011), public cost=$25 B (Calgary man = $42 000 in emergency = $120 000 in prison/hospital

  12. Not just about income, but powerlessness • Misconceptions of poor - working poor - chronic vs intermittent poor - downward vs upward poor - rational – tough choices, tradeoffs • Structure of Affluence = blame • Socially constructed • Not misfortune, but human right (UNDHR 1948

  13. Solving the Poverty Problem • Debunking Myths • Depends on blame/causes - multiplier effect/cascading disadvantages • Multi-pronged = housing, wages, childcare, transport, job training • Investment model vs reactive approach [next slide] • Cornerstone = Government Intervention = a national anti poverty strategy = poverty indicators = measurable targets + timelines = accountability/consultative/feedba = coordination bw/within govt, etc = transfer benefit + job benefit

  14. Framing Disadvantages • Cascading Disadvantages/Multiplier Effect - cumulative - new /lingering effects - tipping point - solutions = reinforce • Insulating Advantages - advantages = cushion - delay and re stabilize

  15. Investment Model for Reducing child poverty • Generation Squeeze Campaign • The issue: - 1976, families 25-34 years as poor = 10% - 2013 …….12% (govt expenditure for person under 45 = $12 000 - 1976 senior poverty = 30% - 2013 = 6% (medical care, pension, transfers = $45 000 govt spend per senior) • Poverty reduced when focusing not just on poor, but benefit entire generation. • Reduce squeeze - time squeeze (hours worked, more generous leave) - financial squeeze (affordable day care, housing credits) • Save $50 000 / Cost? $13 000

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