In: Economics
in what ways do programs designed to provide assistance (government or otherwise) actually add to poverty. What do you see as alternatives to these programs?
The programs designed to provide assistance i.e. various welfare programs designed by Govt., actually add to poverty in the following ways.
The current welfare programs fail to prepare people to take care of themselves. The first problem in the program is to offer help with current consumption while giving no importance to job training or any other thing that can help people to become more self sufficient in future. Moreover, many such programs do not make the compulsion to the beneficiery to go to work or attend job training classes in order to continue to receive benefits. This is very dangerous because it keeps people dependent on benefits and make them lazy.
These welfare programs give a ready-made fish to people but do not teach them how to fish.
The alternative or best approach could be that such programs are designed in such a way that they figure out exact way to develop and enhance job skills of the people and their employability and their earnings potential. This will make the people self sufficient and competent. Only by this approach, the welfare programs can fetch positive and desired results.