Contemporary debates on poverty: between causes, representations, and social programs

Abstract

Poverty is a social problem that generates numerous discussions. The article presents a documentary review of research carried out on poverty, classifying the debates on this issue according to three tendencies: first, the scientific view that describes poverty; second, the social representations of poverty, whether structural, individual, or magical; and, third, the social programs for poverty intervention in Latin America. This makes it possible to point out convergences and divergences regarding the topics discussed. The article suggests that poverty intervention on the basis of monetary transfer programs needs to be further considered and, perhaps, reformulated.

Keywords

• capacidades humanas
• capital social
• intervención de la pobreza
• pobreza
• programas de transferencias monetarias
• representaciones sociales de la pobreza