Recognizing the poor: a critical review of Monique Deveaux’s Poverty, Solidarity, and Poor-Led Social Movements

ABSTRACT

This paper raises three critical arguments against Deveaux’s work in Poverty, Solidarity, and Poor-Led Social Movements. Firstly, the paper argues that a clear-cut definition as to what constitutes a legitimate poor-led social movement particularly its political goals and the means it is allowed to employ to achieve its objective is necessary. Secondly, the paper argues that the theory of recognition and its potential relevance for poor-led activism could have been presented in its strongest terms instead of giving it a reduced treatment. And thirdly, contrary to Deveaux’s apparent over optimism about the poor as agents of global justice, there may be good reasons to be more ‘realistic’ about this position.

KEYWORDS:

• Recognition
• agency
• poor
• political goals
• violence

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Renante D. Pilapil

Renante D. Pilapil is a professor of philosophy at the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), Philippines. His work is centered on ethics and socio-political philosophy, particularly on issues related to poverty, social justice, recognition theory, and human rights. Currently, he also serves as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences of ADDU.