The Riches in various data banks on poverty: a comparative study on the assessment of poverty measurements around the globe

摘要

In the context of Integrated Microfinance Management and Sustainable Development, establishing the impact of such interventions is a challenging endeavour. Such an approach is substantiated by the degree to which the poverty-related phenomena are measurable, or whether they can be measured at all. In contribution to the implementation of the IMM concept, the objective is to elaborate on the way in which development is currently expressed, and in particular the way in which poverty is being defined and measured up until today. In order to make this topic tangible, the recent changes and evolution of the parameters which are underlying this definition are referred to e.g. the Human Development Index (HDI), the International Poverty Line (IPL), the Purchasing Power Parity Exchange Rate (PPP), or the Multidimensional Poverty Index (OPHI), among others. In addition, an analogy is presented to the anthropological characteristic of the LEAD approach, i.e. the LEAD School of Ethnoscience. Even though the mentioned parameters are widely used and standardised to a large extent, they are all indicator instruments which, even by their respective promoters, are considered to have their shortcomings. They need to be considered in relationship to the purpose they have of expressing the transition of one state of (well-)being to the next. Although most attention is usually paid to the limitations of their discriminating ability, the eligibility of a number of these parameters is consequently presented. The literature has ample descriptions of inventive proxy variables, workarounds and substitutes. There is, however, no specifically targeted criticism because of such approach. This paper seeks to contribute to the understanding and consensus on the applicability of some parameters, or their alternatives.