Chinese Beggars' Den, A: Poverty and Mobility in an Underclass Community - Softcover

"An important ethnographic look into a community of beggars in northern Taiwan. . . . A major addition to the new but growing literature on poor communities in China, and it contributes importantly to general theories of poverty and mobility." --Journal of Asian Studies "Interesting and scholarly . . . a contribution to the study of mendicancy and poverty." --American Anthropologist "Development studies have tended to ignore beggars as an unproductive social category, but a study of this subcategory of the poor in Taipei shows people with flexibility and creativity in day-to-day strategy, social organization, and macro-social relations. . . . Those concerned with the social mobility of the urban poor will find much of value." --World Development An important ethnographic look into a community of beggars in northern Taiwan. . . . A major addition to the new but growing literature on poor communities in China, and it contributes importantly to general theories of poverty and mobility. " Journal of Asian Studies"" Interesting and scholarly . . . a contribution to the study of mendicancy and poverty. " American Anthropologist"" Development studies have tended to ignore beggars as an unproductive social category, but a study of this subcategory of the poor in Taipei shows people with flexibility and creativity in day-to-day strategy, social organization, and macro-social relations. . . . Those concerned with the social mobility of the urban poor will find much of value. " World Development""

In this fascinating study of a community of Chinese beggars, David Schak offers evidence that challenges widely held theories on poverty. It is a path-breaking, systematic anthropological study that challenges long-held beliefs about poverty, and is one of the few works on beggars available. Over a period of seven years, Schak's fieldwork uncovers a structure of leadership, organizational methods, and alms-getting tactics. Moreover, certain members became upwardly mobile and able to leave this lifestyle. The severe stigma of gambling, adultery, and failure to marry proved the stimulus for a younger generation to leave begging behind.