Poverty and Economic Justice — Definition

Definition

Poverty is deprivation of the resources and capabilities needed for an adequate life; social justice concerns the fair distribution of opportunities, protection and access to institutions. Poverty can be measured through monetary resources or through several dimensions such as health, education and living conditions.

These approaches answer related but different questions. A household can cross an income threshold while continuing to face serious barriers to schooling or healthcare. Public action therefore requires identifying the deprivation, the people affected and the mechanism through which a proposed intervention changes their opportunities or living conditions.