Multidimensional Poverty Measurement: Concepts and Applications (Economic Studies in Inequality, Social Exclusion and Well-Being (4))

Conceptualization and measurement of poverty have traditionally relied on purely economic approaches, with income or consumption as the only indicator. Multidimensional approaches have increasingly been used to understand poverty, but have yet to be fully operationalized. This book uses factor analysis and structural equations modelling to develop a multidimensional framework that integrates capability and social inclusion as additional poverty indicators. The empirical relevance of this methodological contribution is demonstrated through its application in the United States and Nepal. The proposed approach not only helps to identify different categories of the poor, but also to more accurately target resources and policies of poverty alleviation. The book will therefore be an important reference for professionals in development agencies as well as for poverty and policy researchers. Conceptualization And Measurement Of Poverty Have Traditionally Relied On Purely Economic Approaches, With Income Or Consumption As The Only Indicator. Multidimensional Approaches Have Increasingly Been Used To Understand Poverty, But Have Yet To Be Fully Operationalized. This Book Uses Factor Analysis And Structural Equations Modeling To Develop A Multidimensional Framework That Integrates Capability And Social Inclusion As Additional Poverty Indicators. The Empirical Relevance Of This Methodological Contribution Is Demonstrated Through Its Application In The United States And Nepal. The Proposed Approach Not Only Helps To Identify Different Categories Of The Poor, But Also To More Accurately Target Resources And Policies Of Poverty Alleviation. The Book Will Therefore Be An Important Reference For Professionals In Development Agencies As Well As For Poverty And Policy Researchers.--book Jacket. 2 Three Related Concepts Of Poverty 15 -- 2.2 Economic Well-being 16 -- 2.2.1 Political Economy Issues 20 -- 2.2.2 Measurement Issues 26 -- 2.3 Capability 30 -- 2.3.1 Political Economy Issues 34 -- 2.3.2 Measurement Issues 37 -- 2.4 Social Inclusion 42 -- 2.4.1 Political Economy Issues 45 -- 2.4.2 Measurement Issues 50 -- 3 Multidimensional Approach To Poverty 55 -- 3.2.1 Multidimensional Approach 58 -- 3.2.2 Indicators Of Poverty Dimensions 64 -- 3.2.3 Identification Of Poverty Status 66 -- 3.3 Operational Framework 72 -- 3.3.1 Unidimensional Operationalizations 73 -- 3.3.2 Multidimensional Operationalization 77 -- 3.3.3 Identification Of Poverty Status 81 -- 3.3.4 A Note On The Technique 84 -- 4 Application I: Nepal 87 -- 4.2 Empirical Analysis 88 -- 4.2.1 Dataset 90 -- 4.2.2 Model Estimation 90 -- 4.2.3 Indicators Of Poverty Dimensions 95 -- 4.2.4 Multidimensionality Of Poverty 98 -- 4.2.5 Poverty Measurement Outcomes 101 -- 4.2.6 Characteristics Of Unidimensional Poverty 108 -- 4.2.7 Characteristics Of Multidimensional Poverty 114 -- 4.3 Policy Implications 122 -- 4.3.1 Focusing Poverty 122 -- 4.3.2 Targeting The Poor 126 -- 5 Application Ii: The United States 131 -- 5.2 Empirical Analysis 132 -- 5.2.1 Dataset 134 -- 5.2.2 Model Estimation 135 -- 5.2.3 Indicators Of Poverty Dimensions 140 -- 5.2.4 Multidimensionality Of Poverty 143 -- 5.2.5 Poverty Measurement Outcomes 147 -- 5.2.6 Characteristics Of Unidimensional Poverty 153 -- 5.2.7 Characteristics Of Multidimensional Poverty 160 -- 5.3 Policy Implications 164 -- 5.3.1 Focusing Poverty 165 -- 5.3.2 Targeting The Poor 169 -- 6.2 Multidimensionality Of Poverty 173 -- 6.3 Material Resources And Economic Growth 175 -- 6.4 Inner Strength And Resources And Education 177 -- 6.5 Relational Resources And Participation 179 -- 6.6 Future Directions 181. Udaya Wagle. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Multidimensional approaches have increasingly been used to understand poverty, but have yet to be fully operationalized. This methodical and important book uses factor analysis and structural equations modelling to develop a multidimensional framework that integrates capability and social inclusion as additional poverty indicators. The empirical relevance of this methodological contribution is demonstrated through in-depth case studies of the United States and Nepal.

Front Matter....Pages i-xii Introduction....Pages 1-13 Three Related Concepts of Poverty....Pages 15-53 Multidimensional Approach to Poverty....Pages 55-85 Application I: Nepal....Pages 87-129 Chapter 5 Application II: The United States....Pages 131-172 Conclusion....Pages 173-182 Back Matter....Pages 183-214