According to Marxist theory, social problems such as poverty result from .

the operation of a capitalist economy.

Explanation:

Marx argued in his major work "Das Kapital"the intrinsic mechanism of the capitalist system cause to periodically enter in crisis and that the capitalist economy would by natural means eventually collapse:

Since economic and power to produce is more and more concentrated in the hands of a small privileged social class there is a condition where workers are doomed to deteriorate further and further losing any possibility of improving quality of life.

Then Marxists would argue that poverty and social problems would end if the workers were given a chance to lead their economic activity and a rationalized means of organizing economy would then take place.

The ever ongoing crises of the capitalist world would continue to occur if the system was allowed to run indefinitely.