Dependency and Exclusion Based Explanations

Question 1

Marx (1818-1883)

Answer 1

E: Bourgeoisie exploit proletariat
Poverty is caused by capitalism which is inevitable in this kind of society
Poor are poor due to lack of power as they are paid low wages due to profit maximisation
False conciousness
Unemployed act as warning to others

Question 2

Exclusion Based Explanation

Answer 2

Blames the existence and persistence of poverty on wider society/the government

Question 3

Eval of Marx

Answer 3

There are people who earn money from just serving their labour e.g. footballers
Communism doesn’t work
Min. wage already exists in the UK
Marxists look at inequality not poverty

Question 4

Field (1989) Weberian S.D View

Answer 4

E: Capitalism is acceptable with government intervention such as benefits for the poor
Taxes should be higher for the rich
Poverty trap created by government policies, increase welfare state
Underclass of long-term unemployed, lone parents, and those on retirement pensions

Question 5

Eval of Field

Answer 5

Marx says that Field ignores the fact lone parents shouldn’t exist in the first place- some don’t want to work
Biased and subjective
Min. wage already exists

Question 6

Dependency Based Explanations

Answer 6

The poor are the cause of their own poverty due to their attributes such as laziness, disorganisation, irresponsibility and lack of self-control

Question 7

Oscar Lewis (1966): Culture of Poverty

Answer 7

D: Study of poor community in Mexico. Different values and norms from mainstream society
- Fatalism
- Imm. Gratification
- Pres. time Orientation
- Collectivism
‘They have a low level of literacy and education.’

Question 8

Eval of Lewis

Answer 8

Overgeneralised (Lord Sugar)
Out of date/un-relatable
What is normal?
Biased
Lack of jobs/education at the time

Question 9

Murray (1980s) Underclass Theory

Answer 9

D: poverty is response to societal changes
Government should not interfere
No reason to be in UK poverty, jobs and free education
Underclass:
- Criminals
- Illegitimacy
- Economic Inactivity

Question 10

Marsland (1996): Welfare State

Answer 10

D: welfare state undermines capitalism
Relative poverty should not be a concern
Welfare state is expensive and doesn’t work
Encourages people not to work and just claim benefits

Question 11

Eval of M&M

Answer 11

Overgeneralised
Doesn’t take society’s state into account
Lack of empathy
Jobs aren’t available in ALL areas
Relative Poverty is subjective
Inter-generational poverty?
Illegitimacy is not confined to a single social group
90% of people do not claim JSA for over 13 weeks
DO NOT CONSIDER EXTERNAL CONTEXT