SUBJECTIVE REASONS OF POVERTY AND POLITICAL ORIENTATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
SUBJECTIVE REASONS OF POVERTY AND POLITICAL ORIENTATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Summary/Abstract: Subjective causes of poverty can be divided into two groups – internal and external. The internal group explains the existence of those in need by laziness of the last. The possible consequence of such a belief is that the assistance to poor should be limited. The external group of causes is based on the assumption that poverty is not fault of the poor. They either did not have enough opportunities in their lives or were the victims of technological change. Thus, help of others is justifiable. In this paper we test to relation of subjective reasons of poverty, as classified above, to the political left-right orientation of the respondents and subjective degree of responsibility they have in their life. Belief in God is the other important factor considered. The results suggest that leftist political orientation is associated with a beliefs blaming lack of luck for the poor economic situation of the others. Subjective degree of individual responsibility for one’s economic well-being is positively related to the belief, that poor are responsible for their poor situation themselves. Belief in God did not prove to be related to any of the subjective causes of poverty.

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