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Why don't 'the Poor' make common cause? the importance of subgroups

Publication ,  Journal Article
Krishna, A
Published in: Journal of Development Studies
July 1, 2009

Analyses that regard 'the poor' as a sociological category need to take account of recent studies quantifying the extent of flux within these ranks. Frequent movements into and out of poverty regularly refresh the pool of the poor. Large numbers of poor people were not born poor: they have descended into poverty, some quite recently. Concurrently, many formerly poor people have escaped from poverty. Distinct subgroups are defined by these divergent trajectories. Members of different subgroups have diverse economic needs, political interests and mobilisation potential, making cohesive action as a political force unlikely (and certainly uncertain) among all of 'the poor'. Policies to assist poor people will be more effective, and political analysis will yield more fruitful results, if instead of working with any generic category of 'the poor' heed is taken of subgroup-specific experiences and demands. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Development Studies

DOI

EISSN

1743-9140

ISSN

0022-0388

Publication Date

July 1, 2009

Volume

45

Issue

6

Start / End Page

947 / 965

Related Subject Headings

  • Development Studies
  • 44 Human society
  • 38 Economics
  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 14 Economics
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Krishna, A. (2009). Why don't 'the Poor' make common cause? the importance of subgroups. Journal of Development Studies, 45(6), 947–965. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220380902807379
Krishna, A. “Why don't 'the Poor' make common cause? the importance of subgroups.” Journal of Development Studies 45, no. 6 (July 1, 2009): 947–65. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220380902807379.
Krishna A. Why don't 'the Poor' make common cause? the importance of subgroups. Journal of Development Studies. 2009 Jul 1;45(6):947–65.
Krishna, A. “Why don't 'the Poor' make common cause? the importance of subgroups.” Journal of Development Studies, vol. 45, no. 6, July 2009, pp. 947–65. Scopus, doi:10.1080/00220380902807379.
Krishna A. Why don't 'the Poor' make common cause? the importance of subgroups. Journal of Development Studies. 2009 Jul 1;45(6):947–965.

Published In

Journal of Development Studies

DOI

EISSN

1743-9140

ISSN

0022-0388

Publication Date

July 1, 2009

Volume

45

Issue

6

Start / End Page

947 / 965

Related Subject Headings

  • Development Studies
  • 44 Human society
  • 38 Economics
  • 16 Studies in Human Society
  • 14 Economics