Write an analysis of a Book Report John Iceland, “Poverty in America”.

I.
The following questions should be answered in
your own words. Each answer should be one paragraph max.
Each Question is worth up to 1 point.

1.
Define the idea of the deserving poor
2.
Define the idea of the undeserving poor
3.
What general trends does Iceland identify in
the official poverty rate in the USA over the past several decades?
4.
What general trend does Iceland identify in
the official global poverty rate over the past several decades?
5.
What percentage reduction do policy programs
have on the USA’s official poverty rate?

II.
The following questions should be answered
your own words. Each answer should be four paragraphs. Each question is worth
up to 4 points.

1.
What is an absolute poverty measure? How does
it conceive of poverty? What are its advantages and disadvantages according to
Iceland?
2.
What is a relative poverty measure? How does
it conceive of poverty? What are its advantages and disadvantages according to
Iceland?
3.
What is a quasi-relative poverty measure? How
does it conceive of poverty? What are its advantages and disadvantages
according to Iceland?

III.
Please answer one of the following
short essay questions in your own words:
The answer is worth up to 8 points.

1.
Compare and contrast the structural and
cultural explanations for poverty in the USA or across the globe: which
perspective offers a better explanation and why? To answer this question you
will have to provide an overview of the structural and cultural explanations
and then provide a well-grounded reason why you think one perspective offers a
better explanation

2.
Iceland shows that America has a higher
poverty rate than other advanced industrial democratic countries. He argues
this is the case because Americans value individual freedom and economic growth
over equality. Do you agree with his assessment and do you think individual
freedom and economic growth is more important than equality even if it results
in a higher poverty for Americans than citizens in other advanced industrial
countries? To answer this question you will have to discuss how the American
poverty rate compares to other advanced industrial democratic countries, then
indicate if you agree with his assessment, and then discuss why you do or don’t
think these American values are more important than equality even if it results
in higher poverty rates.

Extra
credit 1 point

What
did you think of the Iceland book? Did it give you a good understanding of the
characteristics, causes, and polices that have sought to redress American and
global poverty? What about the difficulties this entails? Would you recommend
the book for use in future classes? If not, why?

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