Employment Structure and Poverty: Theoretical Perspectives and Conceptual Frameworks

Abstract

Theoretical explanations of poverty have been formulated at several conceptual levels that include a number of tested propositions supportive of viewpoint of their proponents. Miller, however, contends that inadequate and skimpy have been recurring themes in poverty research and that the data upon which generalizations are wrought are indeed very scanty... . Writing in a similar vein, Allen states that the theory is woefully inadequate for problems presented by The latter comments notwithstanding, several theorists have contributed to an understanding of poverty and their explanations may be codified into nine conceptual paradigms: (1) culture of poverty; (2) exploitation; (3) time lag in process of adjustment of technical and other changes in a dynamic economy; (4) differential power among enterprises and groups; (5) subclass theory that takes into account racism, sexism, welfare capitalism, elite rule and geographic location; (6) status attainment; (7) orthodox economic theory; (8) human capital; and (9) economic segmentation theories, including dual labor market (Lichter et al.; Rodgers; Gordon; Morrill and Wohlenberg). The latter two paradigms are considered to be dominant theoretical and policy explanations of poverty, particularly as they relate to employment structure. We do not pretend to discuss details of these two theories. Each is a complicated paradigm with many subtleties of premise, thought, and objective; we only try to capture their basic ideas, fundamental assumptions, and empirical referents. In most empirical studies, researchers tend to pick and choose most appropriate or relevant ideas from each theory. This analysis will not attempt to determine which theoretical approach is more correct or which one has more empirical support. If we can provide a clearer perspective of these poverty theories, and a better understanding of underlying postulates, then we will have accomplished our purpose. Ultimately, we want to stimulate thinking about selecting, conceptualizing, and operationalizing variables to empirically test utility of human capital and dual labor market theories. These two conceptual frameworks can be seen as paradigms that shape and guide empirical analysis of relationship between employment structure and poverty.