The Truly Poor: Direct and Indirect Consensual Measurement of Poverty in Sweden

Abstract

The analysis presented in this article is based on two different concepts of poverty; the direct consensual definition developed by Mack and Lansley (1985) and the indirect consensual definition established by Godehart et al (1977). The distinction between indirect and direct definitions of poverty is well establtshed within the field of poverty research. However, it is argued here that the usefulness of this dividing line can be questioned both at a theor etical and an empirical level.