Question

Most social scientists define the poor as being the lowest _____ percent of our income recipients. a) 10 b) 20 c) 3 d) 40 e) 50

Short answer

b) 20%

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Options

We have 5 options to choose from: a) 10% b) 20% c) 3% d) 40% e) 50% Now we'll look at each answer choice and analyze if it's a reasonable option for defining the poverty rate.

Option A: 10%

This option suggests that the poor are the lowest 10% of income recipients. While this is a sizeable minority, it might be too small of a percentage to accurately represent the group of people considered poor.

Option B: 20%

In this option, the lowest 20% of income recipients are considered poor. This percentage is more inclusive than the 10% mark, making it a more likely candidate.

Option C: 3%

The 3% option would define the poor as the absolute lowest income earners, which is a very narrow criteria. With such a small percentage, many people who are actually struggling may be left out of this category, making this option less plausible.

Option D: 40%

By defining the poor as the lowest 40% of income recipients, this option would include a larger proportion of the population. It might be argued that this is too broad of a definition and doesn't allow for a focused approach to poverty reduction programs.

Option E: 50%

The 50% option would essentially split the population into two halves: the first half having a higher income than the second. This option takes an even broader approach to defining poverty, which might not be efficient in tackling the issue at its root.

Selecting the Best Option

Among all the options, "Option B: 20%" seems the most reasonable choice, as it includes a significant portion of the population without being too broad. Thus, the answer should be: b) 20%

Key concepts

Income Distribution

Income distribution refers to the way in which total income is shared among the members of a society. Understanding income distribution is crucial as it affects economic policies and social equality. An equal distribution means that a nation’s total income is evenly divided among its population, whereas an unequal distribution indicates that income is split disproportionately, often leading to issues such as poverty and social strife. Economists and policymakers analyze income distribution to evaluate and improve the economic health of a society.

When analyzing the options given in the exercise (10%, 20%, 3%, 40%, 50%), we see that income distribution parameters help determine where to draw the line for poverty thresholds.

Poverty Threshold

The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate standard of living in a given country. Essentially, it is a monetary amount set by the government or other entities that separates the poor from the non-poor. This concept is not uniform across different countries, as it must account for varying costs of living and societal expectations.

In our exercise, the question revolves around identifying the proper percentage of income recipients that could be reasonably categorized as 'poor.' This highlights the importance of setting a realistic poverty threshold, which can significantly impact social welfare policies and the allocation of resources.

Social Sciences

The field of social sciences plays a pivotal role in analyzing societal issues like poverty and income distribution. It encompasses disciplines like economics, sociology, and political science, which collectively help us understand human behavior and social systems. Social scientists study the distribution of wealth, the impacts of economic inequality, and methods for measuring and addressing poverty.

In the context of the exercise, social scientists would advocate for using empirical data and societal norms to define what percentage of income recipients are considered poor, suggesting 20% as a threshold that balances inclusivity with manageability for targeted poverty alleviation efforts.

Economic Inequality

Economic inequality refers to the unequal distribution of assets, wealth, and income among individuals or groups within a society. It can lead to social division and unrest when a significant gap exists between the richest and the poorest. The study of economic inequality often involves examining the factors that contribute to the disparity and the effectiveness of policy interventions in reducing the gap.

In the exercise, the concept of economic inequality is implicit in the choice of poverty rate definition, as it will directly influence which segment of the population will be considered in the lowest economic bracket. The 20% option suggests an acknowledgment of economic inequality without overextending the definition to cover too large a portion of the population.