ELITE PERCEPTIONS OF POVERTY:
THE CASE OF KARNATAKA
Anand Inbanathan
Abstract
The present study uses the concept of ‘social consciousness’ to address the problem whether elites possess attitudes and beliefs which are essentially ‘pro-poor’. Though poverty is often manifested in their own neighbourhood, their direct interaction with the poor is limited. There is little feeling among most that they are responsible for the poor, or that they use up a disproportionately high part of society’s resources. Only a few thought they should exert themselves to improve the condition of the poor. Although they were important in their own sphere of life, they felt their personal resources and power were too weak to make any impact on the problem of poverty, which is of enormous dimensions.