The Rich and The Poor Gap

Rich and Poor Gap

The rich and the poor gap has been in the world for ages. There are many theories that try to explain this phenomenon. One of those models include the center-periphery theory of social and economic development. The theory was developed by Harold Adam, a Canadian historian. This theory applies to less developed societies and regions. There is polarity between the rich and the poor.

The center is the hub of development, just like the cities, with highly specialized labor and high standard of living. The periphery, on the other hand, are just marginal and supports the center of development. The latter has a low standard of living or at best rural.

Image Source

The above picture aptly describes this polarity. The mansions and the castles on the hill belittle the hut at right of the hillside.

Pictures are Misleading

In reality, however, what is portrayed in the picture are not castles or places for kings but are just imitations or replica of castles. The mansion, however, is real. 

The above picture is a view of the hill when one enters the road going to Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa. I heard that the castles are actually retreat houses for monks but I was not able to ask about the mansion. For that shack at the right side of the hill, it’s a pity I failed to ask. But even if this is the case, the rich poor and the poor gap is obvious in this scene. 

The reason, probably, why these buildings were made on top of the hill is such that they get a good view of Honda Bay. But getting this view is not limited to the apparently rich owners of the building. The inhabitants of the shack at right likewise enjoy the same benefit. In this sense, there is no gap between the rich and the poor.