BENEATH THE POVERTY DEBATE - SOME ISSUES

Within development circles, two approaches to poverty have increasingl y come into prominence: the income/consumption approach and the partic ipatory approach. It is argued that the different results which these two approaches generate with respect to both identification of the poo r and policy prescription may be attributable to underlying philosophi cal differences. Specifically, underlying epistemological and ethical differences account for the different methodologies and conceptions of ill-being employed. When conflicting results are attributable to diff ering philosophical underpinnings no neat synthesis of results is poss ible. The real issue facing policy makers relates to the importance af forded the priorities and knowledge of the poor.