Poverty and power: the problem of structural inequality

1. Poverty as a Social Problem

The Problem of Poverty

The Individualistic Perspective and the Structural Perspective

Organization of the Book

Individualistic Theories of Poverty and Inequality

2. The Biogenetic Theory of Poverty and Inequality

Our Fate Is in Our Genes

Genes, IQ, and Intelligence

Is It Better to Be Born Smart or Born Rich?

Genes, IQ, and Poverty

3. The Cultural Theory of Poverty and Inequality

Poverty as Deviance

The Origins and Development of the Cultural Theory

The Culture of the Poor

The Sources of the Cultural Deviance of the Poor

The Cultural Solution to the Problem of Poverty

Is the Cultural Theory Plausible?

How Well Does the Cultural Theory Know the Poor?

Do the Poor Differ from the Nonpoor, and If So How and Why?

4. The Human Capital Theory of Poverty and Inequality

Education Is the Key to Success

Acquiring Human Capital

Converting Human Capital

What You Know or Who You Are?

What You Know or Who You Know?

What You Know or Where You Work?

Skills Deficit or Jobs Deficit?

A Structural Perspective on Poverty-Four Systems

5. The Economic System and Poverty

The Economics of Poverty

Poverty and Economic Growth

Skill-Biased Technological Change

A Shift in the Balance of Economic Power

Deindustrialization

Globalization

Corporate Restructuring

A Shortage of Jobs

6. The Political System and Poverty

The Politics of Poverty

We're Number One: The United States in Comparative Perspective

The Structure of the American Political System

The Political Mobilization of Business

The Political Marginalization of the Working Class and the Poor

The Synergy of Money and Power

Policy Consequences of the Power Shift: Robin Hood in Reverse

7. The Cultural System and Poverty

Hearts and Minds

The American Dream and the Ideology of Individualism

Beliefs about Poverty and the Poor

Strong Individualism, Weak Structuralism

The News Media

The Right-Wing Ideology Machine

The Rightward Turn in Poverty Discourse

8. The Social System and Poverty

We Are Not Alone

Group Memberships

Neighborhood Effects

Social Networks and Social Capital

A Structural Perspective on Poverty-Ten Obstacles

9. Structural Obstacles and the Persistence of Poverty (I)

Racial and Ethnic Discrimination

Residential Segregation

Housing

Education

Transportation

10. Structural Obstacles and the Persistence of Poverty (II)

Sex Discrimination

Child Care

Health and Health Care

Retirement Insecurity

Legal Deprivation

Poverty and Power

Programs and Power

Movements and Power.