Introduction

• Published in: The Escape from Poverty pp. 1 - 6
• Main Authors: De Schutter, Olivier, Frazer, Hugh, Guio, Anne-Catherine, Marlier, Eric
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol, UK Policy Press 17.10.2023
• Subjects: Policy; Perpetuation; Action; Poverty; Strategy; Equal opportunities; Cost; Inequality
• ISBN: 9781447370604; 1447370600
• DOI: 10.51952/9781447370611.int001

Why, in a world of plenty, are we failing to eradicate poverty? This collective failure is: (i) because we only rarely move beyond the symptoms to address the root causes of the inter-generational perpetuation of poverty (IGPP); (ii) because of the efforts of governments being obstructed, in particular as a result of mistaken beliefs concerning ‘merit’ and ‘incentives’; (iii) because of the self-interest of and exploitation by some who control excessive wealth and resources; and (iv) because of a failure to properly assess the costs to society of poverty and inequalities. This book seeks to achieve three objectives. The first objective is to describe the reality of IGPP. The second objective is to put will above fate; to pit hope against complacency. The vicious cycles that perpetuate poverty can be broken. Finally, the third objective is to identify some examples of anti-poverty strategies that have worked and, with humility, to propose some guidance to policy makers – or at least, to contribute to some form of collective learning.