Power and Poverty

Szalai, Júlia (1997) Power and Poverty. Social Research, 64 (4). pp. 1403-1423.

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Abstract

As the rapidly expanding literature on post-1989 developments of former Soviet-type societies notes it unequivocally, one of the most disturbing accompanying features of post-Communist transformation has been the steady increase of poverty in all Central-European countries. Although the actual size of social groups which have been hit by a significant decline of their living standards can be estimated with great difficulties, the socio-pshyhological shock that the remarkable jump in the number of those living amid unbearable conditions has generated is acknowledged even by the most radical protagonists of rapid marketization. Despite the shock and frustration that has been born out of the paintful experiences of „economic adjustmen” in broad layers of these societies, the boom of poverty has not been put on the list of the most burning socio-political issues in any of the countries under concern. Regarding Hungary, one can formulate this statement even in a sharper manner: literally in the moment of birth of the new democratic order, the issue of poverty was actually removed from the political agenda. However, the examination of the background of the phenomenon leads the author to express doubt over the view that the poverty in Hungary is simple the unavoidable concomitant of the economic difficulties and the transformation.

Item Type: Article
Keywords: poverty, social critique, second economy, social structure, marginalization
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions: Institute for Sociology
Depositing User: Máté Zombory
Date Deposited: 25 Sep 2014 07:32
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2015 13:04
URI: https://openarchive.tk.mta.hu/id/eprint/319

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