The many varieties of ambiguity shape the prospects in lower-income countries to establish viable poverty-alleviation programs, appropriately target the poor, and reduce deprivations of families applying for or participating in such programs. Ambiguity can be both a problem and an asset, potentially serving pro-poor purposes but often manipulable to drain benefits away from the poor. The distinctive functions of the decision process, as outlined in the classic policy sciences framework, are applied to cash transfers, pro-poor price subsidies, guaranteed unconditional employment, affirmative action, and resource access for the poor. The guidance for adapting these programs depends heavily on the appraisal function. This article contributes both the diagnosis of how ambiguity can undermine or contribute to the soundness of the poverty-alleviation program selection processes, and how to address these issues. It also demonstrates the utility of the classic policy sciences framework in identifying an extremely broad range of relevant considerations.

多种模糊性影响了低收入国家制定可行的扶贫计划、适当针对穷人以及减少申请或参与此类计划的家庭的贫困的前景。模糊性既可能是一个问题，也可能是一种资产，可能有助于扶贫目的，但往往可以被操纵，剥夺穷人的福利。正如经典政策科学框架所概述的，决策过程的独特功能适用于现金转移、有利于穷人的价格补贴、保证无条件就业、平权行动以及穷人的资源获取。调整这些计划的指导在很大程度上取决于评估职能。本文诊断了模糊性如何损害或促进扶贫项目选择过程的健全性，以及如何解决这些问题。它还展示了经典政策科学框架在确定极其广泛的相关考虑因素方面的效用。