capitalist society

[natty]

does anyone think that poverty can ever be completely eradicated in a capitalist society? and if not, why not? any comments welcomed!

[lisaj]

I'm not answering your essay question for you!! ;-)

[geofbob]

Not if by "poverty" you mean relative poverty, since one of the main factors in capitalist society is inequality, and some people will always be poorer than the average. So if you define poverty in terms of average income, or the gap between the highest and lowest incomes, then it probably never will be eradicated under capitalism. But absolute poverty - defined in terms of low income, high infant mortality, short expectation of life etc - can certainly be eradicated, and possibly already has been in some developed Western countries. There is little doubt, for example, that the poorest people in Britain today would almost not be classed as living in poverty in terms of the norms of, say, 70 years ago.

[natty]

contrary to opinion this IS NOT AN ESSAY QUESTION!!!! i was just trygin to prove a point with a rather dim-witted 'friend'

[tartanwiz]

Capitalism depends on inequality and competition, so relative poverty will always be a necessary part of it (for so long as it exists).

[vittoria]

I agree with tartanwiz

[ianess]

I too, agree with tartanwiz.

The whole capitalist system is based on greed,not need, and the sooner an acceptable alternative comes along the better.

Just don`t hold your breath waiting.