is begging an economic activity?

Question

iam on a project and i want to know that is begging an economic activity? plz gve ur detailed description. thankx ppl!!!

Answer 1

If one can consider that people have a bad conscience about the poor, usually because of religious or philosophical beliefs, then begging can just be considered as selling some good conscience for a few dimes.

Begging, and poverty in general, is extremely hard to analyse with economic tools only, you usually need some sociology, anthropology and psychology.

But the thing is that some beggars are extremely organized, and the way they set up a hierarchic structure, share the pavement or the times of the day can remind of a business structure.

It's a very interesting question, but that has no easy answer if you don't define exactly what you consider an economic activity. Personally, I would think that poverty is a by-product of a capitalist system, and that giving personally to the poor is mostly a way to get away with a clean conscience, without thinking of the deeper reasons for poverty. I don't believe in private charity to help alleviate poverty, because poverty has to be striken comprehensively, and this can only be made by states (because you also need laws, structures and perspectives, not only direct help).

I'd also like to react on empireofz's answer: an economic activity isn't about putting a burden on society or not, it's about satisfying needs, so if the satisfaction of smokers or drug users is considered more important than their health (I don't think it is, I'm just trying to show you how economists think...), then smoking is good for the economy.
It's even better as it will generate even more economic activity and jobs for hospitals and prothesis makers.
But then you could consider that their premature death is a loss of human capital, and this harms the economy.
Again, it's all about valueing the initial satisfaction of smoking.

Answer 2

I would say that begging is an economic activity. It is a transference of money from one person to another. That should be enough to qualify as an economic activity.

Now is the beggar providing a service or a good? Debatable. On the surface, no, they are living off the benefits of others and not contributing back.

However, when that beggar spends the money, they are then contributing to society. Even if it is just for alcohol or drugs. Money is going back into society in another arena.

Additionally you could say that the beggar is providing a moral service. If I give money to a beggar, generally I'll feel better about it. It's similar to giving money to a charity except that I know the person needing the help is getting 100% of the money.

Answer 3

No begging is not at all an economic activity as money is not exchanged double way only one way exchange takes .according to me rather to beg for money it is better to beg to god for a honourable death or instead of begging a person can do other jobs to earn a living.

Answer 4

No because it does not garner any benefits to society as a whole. When you take and spend money on items that are not condusive to your health (i.e. cigarettes, drugs and alcohol) as about 99% of these transients today do, you are not adding to the economy but placing a burden on it. You see, that bum is most likey to die in the streets if he or she is not in a rehab program. Rehab cost money ergo tax payer money because a lot of those programs are either state run or non-profit organizations, the latter "begging" for "contributions". That bum is costing you more money to feed their habit then contributing to solving their homeless/ poverty stricken socio-economic plight. Begging is not condusive to the economic strata, it just puts a burden on it. Do some more research about homelessness and its strain on the economy. You'll find more detaled answers.

Answer 5

I'm pretty sure that begging other people to do your homework for you is not an economic activity. And you can quote me on that when you turn in this assignment if you like.

Answer 6

begging is not an economic activity.of course it leads the talented people's talent drain.it also gives a bad impression on the countries economy.so,begging is not an economic activity.

Answer 7

it is an activity perhaps belong to underground deal

Answer 8

i hope not.