| Much has been written about poverty but
none of the accounts seem to get at the root of the problem. It must be noted
that the weakening effects of poverty are not only the result of lack of money
but are also the result of powerlessness. The poor are subject to their social
situation instead of being able to affect it through action, that is, through
behavior that flows from an individual's decisions and plans, in other words,
when social scientists have reported on the psychological consequences of
poverty, it seems reasonable to believe that they have described the
psychological consequences or powerlessness. The solution to poverty most
frequently suggested is to help the poor secure more money without otherwise
changing the present power relationship. This appears to implement the idea of
equality while avoiding any unnecessary threat to the established centers of
power. But since the consequences of poverty are related to powerlessness, not
absolute supply of money available to the poor, and since the amount of power
purchasable with a given supply of money decreases as a society acquires a large
supply of goods and services, the solution of raising the incomes of the poor is
likely, unless accomplished by other measures, to be ineffective in a wealthy
society. In order to reduce poverty-related psychological and social problems in the United States, the major community will have to change its relationship to neighborhoods of poverty in such a fashion that families in the neighborhoods have a greater interest in the broader society and can more successfully participate in the decision-making process of the surrounding community. Social action to help the poor should have the following characteristics: the poor should see themselves as the source of the action. The action should affect in major ways the preconceptions of institutions and persons who define the poor. The action should demand much in effect or skill. The action should be successful and the successful self-originated important action should increase the feeling of potential worth and individual power of individuals who are poor. The only initial resource which a community should provide to neighborhoods of poverty should be on a temporary basis and should consist of organizers who will enable the neighborhoods quickly to create powerful independent democratic organizations of the poor. Through such organizations, the poor will then negotiate with the outsiders for resources and opportuities without having to submit to concurrent control from outside. |