Poverty and Power asserts that American poverty is a structural problem resulting from failings in our social system rather than individual failings of the poor. Contrary to the popular belief that poverty results from individual deficiencies?that poor people lack intelligence, determination, or skills?author Edward Royce introduces students to the very real structural issues that stack the balance of power in the United States. The second edition of this provocative book has been revised throughout with new statistical information, and analysis of the recent recession, the Obama presidency, increasing political polarization, the rise of the Tea Party and appearance of the Occupy Movement, new antipoverty movements, and more.