Society Archives

Amartya Sen: Poverty Is About More Than Just Income

What is poverty, according to Amartya Sen? How can we approach poverty as a social problem? In Development as Freedom, Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen argues that economic development is about more than increasing wealth—it must be about expanding freedom. Poverty shouldn’t be just about the amount of income you make; it’s also about the lack of rights you have. Learn more about this ethical approach by Amartya Sen, poverty as capability deprivation, and development as freedom.

Maid Book by Stephanie Land: Themes & Takeaways

What are the main themes in Stephanie Land’s book Maid? What is Maid about? Maid is Stephanie Land’s New York Times bestselling memoir of her life as a single mom struggling to make ends meet. The book features themes of abuse, flawed government policies, poverty, and more. Read on to learn the six themes of Maid by Stephanie Land.

3 Reasons Why Poverty Is a Social Problem

Is poverty a social problem? Why is poverty heavily associated with wealth and income? Should it be? While income is still widely considered an income problem, economist and philosopher Amartya Sen says that poverty is created and enhanced by a lack of human rights and freedom. In Development as Freedom, Sen claims that focusing only on income just creates more social issues. Let’s look at three reasons why poverty is a social problem.

The Lee Thesis: Does Authoritarianism Help the Poor?

What’s the Lee thesis? Why does it claim that authoritarianism helps poor nations better than democracy does? Amartya Sen claims in Development as Freedom that democracy is the solution to helping poor economies, but the Lee thesis states otherwise. The thesis states that authoritarianism eradicates poverty because of a focus on economic development rather than freedom. Let’s look at what Sen has to say about the Lee thesis and whether authoritarianism really is the answer to economic prosperity.

Amartya Sen on Development: The Value of Freedom

What’s Amartya Sen’s approach to development? Why does he believe an income-centered approach to poverty is harmful? According to Sen, development is the process of expanding human freedom. A country’s growth and stability rely on the rights of its citizens and their well-being, rather than the wealth of its people. Here’s more of Amartya Sen on development, described in his book Development as Freedom.

Democracy and Economic Growth: The Connection

What’s the relationship between democracy and economic growth? Does democracy have a direct effect on the growth of a nation’s economy? Policymakers around the world are conflicted on the role democracy plays in economic growth. Amartya Sen, author of Development as Freedom, says that the key to helping poor economies thrive is to implement a democracy into their government. Let’s look at Sen’s argument that supports establishing democracies in underdeveloped nations—and why some people disagree with him.

The 3 Lies Women Tell Men to Push Their Agenda

What lies do women tell men? Why do women lie to men in the first place? According to Rollo Tomassi, the author of The Rational Male, there are three lies women tell men: 1) men are privileged, 2) women are mysterious, and 3) women like nice guys. He argues that women tell these lies to dominate men as part of the “feminine agenda.” Let’s examine each lie in turn along with the underlying truth, according to Tomassi.

How to Increase Economic Growth in 2 Ways

What are ways to increase economic growth? Why is it so difficult for poor economies to develop? Two of the major reasons underdeveloped countries have poor economies are government intervention in markets and restricted women’s rights. In Development as Freedom, Amartya Sen says that establishing free markets and empowering women are two key ways to increase economic growth. Read below to learn how to increase economic growth.

Market Limitations That Are Ethically Questionable

What are market limitations? Is a free market a perfect solution for a failing economy? A free market has many advantages: individual choice, innovation, and economic growth. However, there are many disadvantages as well, such as an inequitable distribution of wealth and the neglect of public goods. Let’s take a deeper look into market limitations, explained by Amartya Sen in Development as Freedom.

Factors Influencing Self-Esteem: Culture Is Key

Is one’s self-esteem the result of internal or external factors? What role does culture play in self-esteem? Although self-esteem starts with your own behavior, external factors still play a role. According to psychotherapist and self-esteem expert Nathaniel Branden, one of the major external factors influencing self-esteem is the culture where you grew up. Keep reading to learn how cultures affect the self-esteem of their members—and how cultural values that support or discourage self-esteem affect the overall health of societies.