Introduction to Social Problems and Poverty

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Questions and Answers

What is a key feature of the normative perspective on social problems?

It views social problems as subjective and influenced by individual perceptions.

It emphasizes how social problems are defined by societal context.

It identifies social problems as being objective and universally acknowledged. (correct)

It focuses on the role of systemic factors in shaping social issues.

Which theory emphasizes personal responsibility in addressing climate change?

Marxian theory

Individualistic explanation (correct)

Neo-liberalism

Structural theory

What aspect of global poverty is highlighted in the discussions on its definitions?

The uniformity of poverty levels across different countries.

The prioritization of urban poverty over rural poverty.

The role of technology in reducing poverty rates.

Methodological differences in measuring poverty between the US and globally. (correct)

What is a critique of the claims-making process as described by Blumer?

It simplifies the evolution of social problems into overly rigid stages. Signup and view all the answers

Which theory is concerned with the systemic causes of poverty and inequality?

Marxian theory Signup and view all the answers

In the context of global migration, what is primarily critiqued about policies regarding immigrants?

They promote the criminalization of migrants. Signup and view all the answers

What does the climate/environmental justice perspective focus on?

The inequalities in impacts and burdens of climate change. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major role of neoliberalism in economic disparities?

Advocates for free-market policies that widen wealth gaps. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main distinction between the normative and constructionist perspectives on social problems?

Normative perspectives analyze conditions based on societal standards, while constructionist perspectives analyze how problems are framed and defined. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Blumer’s Claims-making Process?

A method that outlines stages through which social issues gain recognition and legitimacy. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key components of the Neo-Classical Economic Model regarding poverty in less developed countries?

Focuses on individual responsibility and market solutions for economic issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between Annex 1 and non-Annex 1 countries in the context of global climate agreements?

Annex 1 countries are required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while non-Annex 1 countries have no obligations. Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical approach is primarily concerned with the effects of global trade policies on poverty?

Dependency Theory Signup and view all the answers

What does the Climate/Environmental Justice Perspective emphasize?

Social and economic inequalities exacerbated by climate change. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of poverty, which measurement is often compared between the US and global standards?

Access to basic human needs, including food, shelter, and health care. Signup and view all the answers

What role do NGOs play in the claims-making process concerning social problems?

They contribute to defining and constructing social problems through advocacy and research. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social problems are analyzed from two perspectives: normative (objective problems) and constructionist (socially defined problems).
Individualistic explanations emphasize personal responsibility, while structural explanations focus on systemic factors.
Claims-making process involves defining and framing social problems (Blumer's stages) - institutions like the UN play a role in claim-making.

Population Growth and Poverty

Overpopulation is often framed as a social problem, with debates on objective conditions vs. perceptions.
Population trends globally and in the US influence national development and wealth distribution.

Global Poverty and Inequality

Poverty is measured using various definitions and metrics in different countries.
Neo-Classical Economic Model/Neo-Liberalism/Modernization Theory proposes that free markets and economic development will alleviate poverty.
Marxian/Conflict Theory/Dependency Theory argues that global capitalism and power imbalances create and perpetuate poverty.
WTO policies impact trading practices and global economic inequality.
Population growth, national development, and poverty are interconnected, with ongoing theoretical debates.

Global Climate Change and Environmental Justice

Global warming is a subject of debate, involving scientific claims-making and policy solutions.
Annex 1 countries are obligated to reduce emissions under international agreements, while non-Annex 1 countries are not.
The Climate/Environmental Justice Perspective (C/EJP) highlights social and economic inequalities linked to climate change.

Social problems are constructed through public discourse, according to the constructionist perspective.
Case studies on population growth and overpopulation illustrate this framing process.

Global Poverty (Cosgrove and Curtis)

Poverty measurements vary globally and in the US.
Key theoretical frameworks for understanding poverty include Neo-Liberalism, Modernization, and Dependency Theory.

WTO and Global Inequality (Cosgrove and Curtis)

WTO policies are analyzed for their underlying theories and effects on national economies.
Empirical evidence connects poverty, trade policies, and global wealth distribution.

Different actors (governments, NGOs) influence the definition and construction of social problems like population growth.

Global Inequality and Development (McMichael & Butler)

Poverty in the global south, development strategies, and their limitations are examined.

Economic Disparities (The Dollar and Sense Collective)

Economic inequalities and the role of neoliberalism in widening global wealth gaps are discussed.

Wealth Inequality (World Economic Forum - OXFAM Report)

Key findings on wealth inequality focus on the world's wealthiest 1%.

IPCC Report (Boehm & Schumer)

The IPCC's climate change findings are analyzed, with a focus on environmental justice.

Criminalization of immigrants, global migration trends, and related social policies are discussed.

Immigrant Illegality (Sohoni)

Policies that criminalize migrants, particularly in the US, are examined.

Theoretical Frameworks

Normative perspective: Sees social problems as objective.
Constructionist perspective: Emphasizes how society defines and frames social problems.
Individualistic explanations: Focus on personal responsibility.
Structural explanations: Emphasize systemic factors, like policies and institutions.
Claims-making process: Social problems evolve through Blumer's stages, often involving scientific expertise and international organizations like the UN.

People and Resources

Population growth is framed in various ways, including overpopulation and demographic shifts.
Global poverty is defined differently across countries, with methodological issues.
Poverty theories, such as Neo-Liberalism and Marxian theory, offer competing explanations.
WTO policies impact global trade, poverty, and economic inequality.

Global Climate Change

Debates on global environmental policies, scientific claims-making, and approaches to global warming persist.
Climate/Environmental Justice Perspective (C/EJP) highlights inequalities in climate change impacts.

Global Migrants

Immigrants can be framed as a social problem through criminalization and illegality.
Global migration trends are influenced by theoretical perspectives like the Dual Labor Market Theory and World Systems Theory.

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Description

Explore the complexities of social problems through the lenses of normative and constructionist perspectives. This quiz delves into population growth, poverty measurement, and the various economic theories that aim to address these issues. Assess your understanding of claims-making processes and the role of institutions in defining social challenges.