American Poverty Should Be Measured Relative to the Prevailing Standards of Our Time

This report argues that American poverty should be measured relatively to our society’s prevailing standards. The article shows why relative measures of poverty are superior to their alternatives, and especially those called “absolute” measures. It makes this case based on extensive international research, theoretical arguments, and concrete examples. By advocating for a relative measure, I encourage the United States to follow the approach used by the European Union, many other international organizations like the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS), and by the overwhelming majority of international poverty researchers. 1