Thomas Malthus provided the
greatest impetus for Poor Law
reform. To what extent do you
agree with this statement?
Tags
intro:
The development of the Poor Law is credited in large part to Thomas Malthus, an English
cleric, scholar, and influential economist in the fields of political economy and demography. In
this essay, impetus will be taken to mean something or someone that stimulates the
occurrence of an activity or process. By evaluating the influence of Malthus, the 1831 election
and social unrest, this essay will ultimately come to the conclusion that Thomas Malthus did
not provide the greatest impetus for Poor Law reform.
main body:
1) extensive research and influence of others
argued that the population was increasing faster than food production leading to outstrip
of food supplies
he claimed that this was exacerbated by population growth.
it could be argued that by influencing David Ricardo, Malthus furthered his control of Poor
Law reform.
Ricardo for instance, asserted that due to the poor relief, wages would fall as a result
of less money being available thus reaching the same conclusion as Malthus that the
Poor Law should be abolished.
It may therefore be argued that Malthus not only stimulated the discussion
surrounding Poor Law reform, but he also led others to advocate in favour of reform.
2) social unrest
while Malthus’s influence over others is notable, it did not provide the same urgency as
social unrest.
the swing riots of 1830, saw the destruction of threshing machines as well as 1400
letters sent to magistrates.
The protests led to many deaths and destruction.
Thomas Malthus provided the greatest impetus for Poor Law reform. To what extent do you agree with this
1
statement?
greatest impetus for Poor Law
reform. To what extent do you
agree with this statement?
Tags
intro:
The development of the Poor Law is credited in large part to Thomas Malthus, an English
cleric, scholar, and influential economist in the fields of political economy and demography. In
this essay, impetus will be taken to mean something or someone that stimulates the
occurrence of an activity or process. By evaluating the influence of Malthus, the 1831 election
and social unrest, this essay will ultimately come to the conclusion that Thomas Malthus did
not provide the greatest impetus for Poor Law reform.
main body:
1) extensive research and influence of others
argued that the population was increasing faster than food production leading to outstrip
of food supplies
he claimed that this was exacerbated by population growth.
it could be argued that by influencing David Ricardo, Malthus furthered his control of Poor
Law reform.
Ricardo for instance, asserted that due to the poor relief, wages would fall as a result
of less money being available thus reaching the same conclusion as Malthus that the
Poor Law should be abolished.
It may therefore be argued that Malthus not only stimulated the discussion
surrounding Poor Law reform, but he also led others to advocate in favour of reform.
2) social unrest
while Malthus’s influence over others is notable, it did not provide the same urgency as
social unrest.
the swing riots of 1830, saw the destruction of threshing machines as well as 1400
letters sent to magistrates.
The protests led to many deaths and destruction.
Thomas Malthus provided the greatest impetus for Poor Law reform. To what extent do you agree with this
1
statement?
