Reproduction of poverty: Back and forth from structure to culture An essay based on ’The cultural matrix’ by Orlando Patterson and Ethan Fosse

Abstract

Abstract This non-comprehensive (review) essay focuses on the relationship between cultural traits and economic integration of social groups living in deep poverty. My argument relies on the contemporary cultural theories of American sociology. I suggest that current public and scientific discourses tend to adopt a narrow interpretation of culture. False but popular beliefs in the power of cultural forces defined in this narrow way could support harmful measures and policies. However, a more comprehensive concept of culture could lay the ground for fruitful investigations of economically relevant cultural effects. I conclude that in order to understand the reproduction of poverty better, sociologists should not shy away from the investigation of the roles of cultural traits but should refuse simplistic concepts of, and theories about culture. Keywords: poverty, culture, structure, Patterson