Poverty Traps

Business & Finance, Economics, Economic Conditions, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Poverty Traps by , Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9781400841295
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: October 16, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9781400841295
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: October 16, 2011
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Much popular belief--and public policy--rests on the idea that those born into poverty have it in their power to escape. But the persistence of poverty and ever-growing economic inequality around the world have led many economists to seriously question the model of individual economic self-determination when it comes to the poor. In Poverty Traps, Samuel Bowles, Steven Durlauf, Karla Hoff, and the book's other contributors argue that there are many conditions that may trap individuals, groups, and whole economies in intractable poverty. For the first time the editors have brought together the perspectives of economics, economic history, and sociology to assess what we know--and don't know--about such traps.

Among the sources of the poverty of nations, the authors assign a primary role to social and political institutions, ranging from corruption to seemingly benign social customs such as kin systems. Many of the institutions that keep nations poor have deep roots in colonial history and persist long after their initial causes are gone.

Neighborhood effects--influences such as networks, role models, and aspirations--can create hard-to-escape pockets of poverty even in rich countries. Similar individuals in dissimilar socioeconomic environments develop different preferences and beliefs that can transmit poverty or affluence from generation to generation. The book presents evidence of harmful neighborhood effects and discusses policies to overcome them, with attention to the uncertainty that exists in evaluating such policies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Much popular belief--and public policy--rests on the idea that those born into poverty have it in their power to escape. But the persistence of poverty and ever-growing economic inequality around the world have led many economists to seriously question the model of individual economic self-determination when it comes to the poor. In Poverty Traps, Samuel Bowles, Steven Durlauf, Karla Hoff, and the book's other contributors argue that there are many conditions that may trap individuals, groups, and whole economies in intractable poverty. For the first time the editors have brought together the perspectives of economics, economic history, and sociology to assess what we know--and don't know--about such traps.

Among the sources of the poverty of nations, the authors assign a primary role to social and political institutions, ranging from corruption to seemingly benign social customs such as kin systems. Many of the institutions that keep nations poor have deep roots in colonial history and persist long after their initial causes are gone.

Neighborhood effects--influences such as networks, role models, and aspirations--can create hard-to-escape pockets of poverty even in rich countries. Similar individuals in dissimilar socioeconomic environments develop different preferences and beliefs that can transmit poverty or affluence from generation to generation. The book presents evidence of harmful neighborhood effects and discusses policies to overcome them, with attention to the uncertainty that exists in evaluating such policies.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book Uneasy Alliances by
Cover of the book The Drama of Celebrity by
Cover of the book Local Histories/Global Designs: Coloniality, Subaltern Knowledges, and Border Thinking by
Cover of the book Democratic Rights by
Cover of the book The Ethical Engineer by
Cover of the book The Seduction of Unreason by
Cover of the book A History of Judaism by
Cover of the book On War by
Cover of the book Some Problems of Unlikely Intersections in Arithmetic and Geometry (AM-181) by
Cover of the book Krupp by
Cover of the book Descartes's Method of Doubt by
Cover of the book The "Book of Common Prayer" by
Cover of the book The Great Brain Debate by
Cover of the book Trans by
Cover of the book Monetary Policy, Inflation, and the Business Cycle by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy