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Impoverished Masses

Definition

The impoverished masses refer to the large group of people in a society who live in poverty.

Analogy

They're like people stuck outside the concert venue, unable to afford a ticket and only able to hear faint echoes of the music inside.

Related terms

Poverty Cycle: This is a set of factors or events by which poverty, once started, is likely to continue unless there is outside intervention. It's like being stuck outside that concert venue every time because you can never afford a ticket.

Social Mobility: The ability for an individual or family to move up or down the social and economic ladder within a society. Imagine finally saving enough money to buy a ticket and get into the concert!

Income Inequality: A measure of how unevenly income is distributed in a society. It's like some people at our hypothetical concert having stacks of tickets while others have none.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.