Classic and Contemporary Views on Poverty

Abstract

The article reviews classic views on poverty for which Bulgarian scientific literature is extremely inexhaustible. A “Continuum of classical theories of poverty” has been composed through the author’s interpretation and systematization of theoretical views which are embedded in world scientific literature. Three approaches are highlighted – social Darwinism, egalitarianism and statistical-sociological approach. Poverty is studied on the basis of relatively independent, but also complementary aspects: economic, sociological and applied. Each of these aspects brings together both classical theories and modern concepts of understanding poverty as a phenomenon. Emphasis is placed on the causes, factors, measures and the need to eliminate poverty. The main indicators of poverty are presented: Lorentz curve, Gini coefficient, persons at risk of poverty and social exclusion, poverty line and the rate of persons living below the poverty line in Bulgaria. Inequalities in the distribution of income before and after social transfers are presented, as well as those who are categorized by statistics as poor – before and after social transfers. The analysis highlights Bulgaria’s unfavorable position compared to other European Union member states.