Literature on the characteristics or underlying qualities of the concept of poverty is extensive but fragmented and rarely discusses the influence of these characteristics on poverty analysis. This paper examines the characteristics of poverty and their implications for poverty analysis. It primarily made use of secondary data together with some primary data. Findings are that poverty characteristically has a language and is multidimensional, complex, individual-or context-specific and absolute or relative. The characteristics of poverty have significant implications for, and should therefore be taken into consideration in, poverty analysis. The language of poverty reveals the dimensions and severity of poverty faced by a given community. It also enables poverty analysts to uphold the dignity of people and minimise misconceptions about poverty in a society. Lastly, the language of poverty provides an understanding of the context-sensitive meaning of poverty. The multidimensional and complex nature of poverty guides in the selection of an appropriate poverty worldview for analysing poverty. Moreover, the individual-and context-specific characteristic of poverty reflects the variation in the nature and severity of poverty according to age, gender and context. Knowledge about the absolute or relative nature of poverty, furthermore, is essential for poverty classification. The findings of this paper could allow for a more holistic or effective analysis of poverty, which may contribute to policy building.
Despite the proliferation of poverty studies, poverty in Brunei Darussalam (hereafter, Brunei) is under-researched. What poverty means in Brunei is, therefore, little understood, and there is a local belief that poverty in the country is unique and relative. Moreover, the terms ‘poverty’ ( kemiskinan) and ‘poor’ ( miskin) are somewhat sensitive in Brunei, but the reason(s) for this sentiment and preferred terms are not known. This study examines the language and meaning of poverty in Brunei. It also sheds light on the local belief about poverty within the country. The study used an exploratory research methodology and data were collected from poor and non-poor households and key informants. Results show that Bruneians use different terms to refer to poverty or poor people, but preferred terms are ‘living in need’, ‘difficult life’ and ‘needy people’. Bruneians avoid the terms ‘poverty’ and ‘poor’ because they can erode one’s self-confidence or self-esteem. Poverty in Brunei is construed in different ways, but it is mostly perceived as relative, and its nature is not unique.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing rapid peri-urbanisation. As a result, the way of life in most peri-urban areas is now mainly urban. What is yet to be determined, however, is whether peri-urbanisation within the country is a blessing or a scourge for the original inhabitants of peri-urban zones. This study therefore examined the Quality of Life of the original inhabitants of Domboshava peri-urban in the wake of peri-urbanisation. The study used a mixed-method approach and collected data from 80 original inhabitants sampled from the area. The majority of the study participants reported a low Quality of Life as a result of peri-urbanisation, which has brought about or exacerbated realities such as financial deprivation, unemployment, seasonality, energy, water and housing challenges. Assistance required to improve the Quality of Life of the original inhabitants includes entrepreneurial and job opportunities, provision of water, sanitation and energy facilities as well as financial and food aid. The study concluded that peri-urbanisation could be more of a scourge than a blessing for the original inhabitants of Domboshava peri-urban.
The question of “how effective poverty eradication measures being implemented in Zimbabwe are” has not been addressed in the context of peri-urban areas. This question must be addressed since the country has a high incidence of poverty and is working towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 i.e. “No Poverty”. Using a case study of Mutasa South peri-urban, this research therefore sought to answer the question. It adopted an exploratory methodology and data was collected from residents in Mutasa South peri-urban area and key informants from NGOs and Mutasa Rural District Council. The study found that poor people in the study area experience different forms of poverty. Poverty reduction measures being implemented in Mutasa South peri-urban include food aid, education assistance, cash transfer, microfinance and farming programmes. The effectiveness of these measures was examined based on the extent to which the programmes cover the multiple dimensions of poverty found in the study area. As the study found, the programmes take into account all the dimensions of poverty but there are aspects of these dimensions that they pay less attention to and tend to exclude some of the poor.
An economic partnership can play a significant role in poverty reduction in
the countries involved. The partnership’s contribution to poverty alleviation is,
however, a function of its scope and the nature of participating countries, which could
be constrained by various factors. Considering this, the chapter addresses the question
of whether the RCEP can contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the UN
Sustainable Development Goal 1 within the ASEAN region. This aspect is yet to be
subjected to scholarly examination. The chapter examines the potential of the RCEP to
help ASEAN countries to eradicate poverty, the factors that could jeopardise this
endeavour and the measures that could be taken to address these factors. Findings show
that the RCEP could indeed contribute to the realisation of Sustainable Development
Goal 1 in ASEAN countries since it has the potential to contribute to poverty
eradication. This is because of the partnership’s capacity to, among other aspects, drive
economic growth, boost real convergence and optimise the poverty eradication
potential of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the ASEAN region. This
contribution may, however, be jeopardised with the advent of adverse events like the
COVID-19 pandemic, and because of political instability in some ASEAN countries. In
order to mitigate the impact of both of these challenges, ASEAN countries could
reinforce their social protection systems, intensify their commitment to the RCEP and
address the needs of the losers in the RCEP.
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