Which of the following best describes the shift in public opinion about the causes of poverty over the past two decades?

• A. There has been little to no change in public opinion regarding the causes of poverty.
• B. Public opinion has shifted toward viewing poverty as mainly the result of individual laziness and poor decision-making.
• C. There has been an increased belief that poverty is primarily caused by structural factors such as lack of access to education and employment opportunities.
• D. Most people now believe poverty is solely due to government policies and taxation.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the question, which is about changes in public opinion regarding the causes of poverty over the past two decades.
2. Step 2: Recognize the key perspectives on poverty causes: individual factors (like laziness or poor decisions) versus structural factors (such as lack of access to education and employment opportunities).
3. Step 3: Recall that microeconomic studies and surveys often show shifts in public attitudes, reflecting greater awareness of systemic issues influencing poverty rather than blaming individuals alone.
4. Step 4: Analyze the given options and identify which aligns with the trend of increased recognition of structural causes of poverty.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of the shift is the increased belief that poverty is primarily caused by structural factors such as lack of access to education and employment opportunities.