Absence Quote by Jane Jacobs
“poverty has no causes. Only prosperity has causes. Analogically, heat is a result of active processes; it has causes. But cold is not the result of any processes; it is only the absence of heat. Just so, the great cold of poverty and economic stagnation is merely the absence of economic development.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” by Jane Jacobs, 1961
Poverty is not caused by a single factor; it is the lack of economic activity, similar to cold being the absence of heat.
In simple terms: Poverty exists when development stops.
Key Takeaway
Promote sustained economic development.
Themes
poverty
economic development
cause and effect
social policy
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
policy
economic
When to use this quote
- community revitalization
- policy making
- business investment
Key Concepts
economics
urban planning
systems thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What policies can create lasting economic activity?
- How do we measure development beyond GDP?
A Different Perspective
Addressing causes alone may ignore systemic barriers.
