Question

Some nations have been in poverty from one generation to the next, relying on tradition rather than experimenting with new technology that might improve their standard of living. This explanation for global stratification is called ________.

Answer 1

Answer: Culture of Poverty.

Explanation: Culture of Poverty is a theory formulated by anthropologist Oscar Lewis in his studies of communities in Puerto Rico and Mexico. Lewis identified what he believed to be an important factor in the perpetuation of poverty. Regardless of what has led to patterns of inequality and poverty in society, Lewis argued, once established, the life of poverty tends to generate cultural ideas that promote perpetuating behaviors and viewpoints. The poor may lose their ambition to improve their lives by adopting the fatalistic belief that hard work and ambition will not improve their existence. Thus, this culture is transmitted from one generation to another. In one sense, Lewis suggested that as individuals adapt to the circumstances of poverty, they tend to develop a culture that is compatible with it and that is why they support it. This would help explain not only patterns of poverty in societies, but also the inability of Third World countries to develop economically as well.