Poverty

• Different economic systems. The United States has a more capitalist economy, while European countries have more mixed economies. In a capitalist economy, the government plays a smaller role in the economy and there is more emphasis on individual initiative. In a mixed economy, the government plays a larger role in the economy and there is more emphasis on social welfare.

The different ways that the United States and Europe measure poverty have implications for how they handle social welfare programs and respond to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, European countries have more generous social welfare programs and are more likely to provide relief to their citizens during times of crisis.

The United States' use of the absolute measure of poverty may explain why it has provided less relief to its citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic than European countries. The absolute measure of poverty defines poverty as a lack of basic necessities, such as food and shelter. This means that many people who were struggling before the pandemic may not be considered poor by the official definition, even though they have been severely impacted by the pandemic.

The statistics around poverty are also striking. According to the US Census Bureau, 11.4% of the US population was living in poverty in 2021. This means that over 37 million people in the US are struggling to meet their basic needs. The poverty rate is even higher for certain groups, such as children (17.2%) and Black people (22.5%).

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated poverty in the United States. Millions of people have lost their jobs or had their hours reduced, and many have had to rely on government assistance to meet their basic needs. The US government has provided some relief to citizens during the pandemic, such as the stimulus checks and the expansion of unemployment benefits. However, this relief has been temporary and has not been enough to offset the economic impact of the pandemic for many people.

The United States' use of the absolute measure of poverty and its lack of generous social welfare programs may explain why it has provided less relief to its citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic than European countries. The US government should reconsider its approach to poverty and provide more support to its citizens, especially during times of crisis.

The United States has historically used the absolute measure of poverty, while European countries have used the relative measure of poverty. There are a number of reasons for this, including:

• Different historical contexts. The United States was founded on the principle of individual liberty and limited government intervention. This principle is reflected in the absolute measure of poverty, which defines poverty as a lack of basic necessities. European countries, on the other hand, have a long tradition of social welfare programs and government intervention in the economy. This tradition is reflected in the relative measure of poverty, which defines poverty as falling below a certain standard of living relative to the rest of society.
• Different political cultures. The United States is a more individualistic society, while European countries are more collectivist societies. This difference in political culture is reflected in the way that the two countries approach poverty. The United States tends to focus on individual responsibility, while European countries tend to focus on social responsibility.