Not everyone believes that government action is the solution to poverty or economic inequality. Some believe that governments only make things worse by getting involved, causing people to become dependent on support rather than improving their own situation. These people believe that a free market economy is the best solution to poverty. Believers in the free market tend to think charities and communities, not the State and taxpayers, should look after those in poverty.
EXPLORE
• Being born into a community with high levels of poverty • Leaving school early • Old age • Drug or alcohol addiction
THIS TOPIC AND YOU
Can you give an example of a career or job that is very important to your community but provides an unfairly low income? Explain why the job is important and should be better rewarded.
free market economy: when the government spends less money on things such as social welfare and relies upon people being more likely to take up jobs, even at low wages, if the alternative is no income at all
CAUSES OF POVERTY
Unemployment and low incomes are just two causes of poverty in Ireland. In pairs, discuss whether the following could also be factors in poverty. Give one reason why or why not in each case:
