1. Poverty as a social problem -- pt. I. Individualistic theories of poverty and inequality. -- 2. The biogenic theory of poverty and inequality -- 3. The cultural theory of poverty and inequality -- 4. The human capital theory of poverty and inequality -- pt. II. A structural perspective on poverty : four systems. -- 5. The economic system and poverty -- 6. The political system and poverty -- 7. The cultural system and poverty -- 8. The social system and poverty -- pt. III. A structural perspective on poverty : ten obstacles. -- 9. Structural obstacles and the persistence of poverty (I) -- 10. Structural obstacles and the persistence of poverty (II) -- 11. Conclusion.