An Integration of Concept of Poverty

: Beyond the Opposition between Sen and Townsend

Abstract

The most recent debate on the theory of poverty was done between Amartya Sen and Peter Townsend in 1980s. Its aftermath extends to the present authors. Ruth Lister, reviewing the debate, wrote that she agreed with Townsend, but still she confessed her understanding of Sen’s argument. The core of the controversy should rest on the question where the vanishing point of poverty is. And even Sen didn’t succeed the definition of poverty because his concept is based on the methodological individualism. Both Sen and Townsend lack in the factor of social recognition. They cannot integrate redistribution and recognition. And my idea tells that the controversy can be solved by seeing it from the concept of self-determination. The debate between Nancy Fraser and Axel Honneth was done on the integral concept of redistribution and recognition. However, they didn’t present the concept. Due to my theory, it is self-determination. From this point of view, we can have a new perspective on the policy on poverty, free from the reminiscence of the poor laws. And basic provisions for secure life and secured human rights will make “monadic society” based on the social norm of “merit-free egalitarianism”.