Chapter 20: Problem 8

Use an example to explain why, after periods of rapid growth, a low-income country that has not caught up to a high-income country may feel poor.

Short Answer

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In our example of Developia, a low-income country that experienced rapid economic growth, the crucial factor contributing to the feeling of poverty was relative poverty. Despite the overall increase in GDP, the wealth generated was concentrated amongst a few individuals, creating income inequality. Developia's citizens, particularly those in lower-income brackets, felt poor when comparing their living standards to the wealthier counterparts and to those in a high-income country like Prosperia. Thus, relative poverty and income inequality are key reasons why a low-income country may feel poor even after rapid growth. To address this, governments and policymakers must prioritize reducing income inequality and invest in social programs that promote inclusive growth.

Step by step solution

Introduction to the Concept of Relative Poverty

Relative poverty is a measure of income inequality within a society. It compares an individual or group's income to the average income in that area. So, a low-income country might experience rapid economic growth, leading to an increase in overall income, but if the distribution of that income is not equal, people at the lower end of the income scale may still feel poor compared to their wealthier neighbors.

Example of a Low-Income Country with Rapid Growth

Let's take the fictional country of "Developia" as an example. Developia has recently experienced rapid growth in its economy due to a booming technology sector. This has led to a significant increase in the overall GDP of the country. However, much of the wealth generated from this sector has been concentrated in the hands of a few individuals and companies, resulting in income inequality.

The Psychological Impact on the Population

Individuals in the lower-income brackets in Developia may now see a vast difference in their living standards compared to their wealthier counterparts. Even though they may have higher incomes than they used to, due to economic growth, they still feel poor when comparing themselves to those who have benefitted the most from the rapid growth. This feeling of inadequacy or "relative poverty" can contribute to social discontent and dissatisfaction.

Comparing Developia to a High-Income Country

To better understand why Developia feels poor even after experiencing rapid growth, we need to compare it to a high-income country, say "Prosperia." Prosperia has a higher average income and a more equitable income distribution. As a result, people in Prosperia generally enjoy a higher standard of living and more social mobility.

Analyzing the Differences Between Developia and Prosperia

Even though Developia has seen rapid growth, it has failed to catch up to Prosperia in terms of average income and income distribution. This could be due to factors such as insufficient investment in social programs, lack of access to quality education and healthcare, and a lack of policies aimed at reducing income inequality. As a result, the citizens of Developia still feel poor when compared to the citizens of Prosperia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a low-income country like Developia may feel poor after periods of rapid growth if it has not caught up to a high-income country like Prosperia in terms of income and wealth distribution. The feeling of relative poverty, in which individuals in the low-income brackets compare themselves to their wealthier counterparts, is the crucial factor that contributes to this phenomenon. To reduce these feelings of poverty, it is essential for governments and policymakers to focus on reducing income inequality and investing in social programs that promote inclusive growth.

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