Structural causes

Question 1

Marxist ideology

Answer 1

Theory explains society as the exploitation of the working class 
Capitalist society is in a state of conflict and Marx predicted this would eventually lead to a revolution

Question 2

Poverty is caused by the exploitation of the w/c

Answer 2

Marxists claim the structure of capitalist society makes poverty inevitable
W/c never get paid a true wage as they are continually being exploited with low pay, long hours and poor working conditions
Results in poverty

Question 3

Poverty is caused by having a low paid workforce

Answer 3

Capitalists benefit from people being poor as poverty provides them with people who are prepared to work for a low wage and well motivates
KINCAID: Low wages are essential to capitalist economy as they underpin wage structure
Increasing pay of poor wold push up all levels of pay and harm profits

Question 4

The government does make serious effort to abolish poverty

Answer 4

KINCAID: Government’s main concern is to make capitalist economy more efficient and this means they will never take the steps to abolish poverty
For example no wealth tax exists, even capitalists’ bank were bailed out by government to prevent bust in 2008 and benefits were cut in response to recession

Welfare state exists more to contain the w/c and prevent them from rising up against their exploitation

Question 5

Government austerity polices have increased poverty

Answer 5

Cuts to out of work benefits: Policies such as benefits cap, reductions to housing benefit and tougher sanctions for those on JSA have increased material deprivation. HARRIS: housing benefit reductions have forced some families to move out of areas they’ve lived all their lives and had strong social networks which has increased social exclusion and the life chances of the children

Cuts to in work benefits and wages: Low paid jobs have seen their income hot by reduction to welfare benefits and a fall in real value of their wages. At the same time, workers have faced rising prices as VAT increased and prescription costs have increased. Low wages has forced more people to use food banks in order to feed their families

Question 6

Criticisms

Answer 6

Marxist ignore individual social groups who are more vulnerable to poverty, they don’t explain why some groups such as women, disabled and ethnic minorities are likely to experience poverty

Government can work against capitalist interests. State supports workers rights for example by introducing minimum wage, employment protection laws and equal rights

Introduction of communism did not eliminate poverty eg USSR