François de Bernard examines the structural mechanisms that keep poverty entrenched in modern societies. Drawing on policy analysis, economic data, and case studies, the book argues that contemporary anti‑poverty initiatives often reinforce the very conditions they aim to alleviate. By tracing the evolution of welfare programs and governmental rhetoric, de Bernard reveals how certain policies create a self‑sustaining cycle of dependency, effectively governing poverty rather than eradicating it. The work challenges readers to reconsider conventional approaches and to envision alternatives that address the root causes of economic marginalisation.