1 A policy process approach to the poor laws
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Samantha A. Shave
Abstract
This chapter provides a detailed thematic analysis of the historiographical shifts in the study of the poor laws. It starts with an examination of how an emphasis by historians on the lives and experiences of the poor grew from the ‘history from below’ approach over the last 50 years. Recent analyses of the experiences of the poor have claimed we have paid too much attention to the administration of the poor laws. It questions what we mean by administration, and argues that knowledge of how pauper policies worked is actually pivotal to our knowledge of the poor laws, especially if we are to understand how individuals, including the poor, could influence pauper policies. Then, using a ‘policy process’ model developed in the social sciences, it presents an analysis of what we already understand, and what has remained ill-understood, about the poor laws. The focus is on several themes: policy-making, policy implementation and policy development and change. The main themes which arise from this analysis are explored in the rest of this book.
Abstract
This chapter provides a detailed thematic analysis of the historiographical shifts in the study of the poor laws. It starts with an examination of how an emphasis by historians on the lives and experiences of the poor grew from the ‘history from below’ approach over the last 50 years. Recent analyses of the experiences of the poor have claimed we have paid too much attention to the administration of the poor laws. It questions what we mean by administration, and argues that knowledge of how pauper policies worked is actually pivotal to our knowledge of the poor laws, especially if we are to understand how individuals, including the poor, could influence pauper policies. Then, using a ‘policy process’ model developed in the social sciences, it presents an analysis of what we already understand, and what has remained ill-understood, about the poor laws. The focus is on several themes: policy-making, policy implementation and policy development and change. The main themes which arise from this analysis are explored in the rest of this book.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i 1
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of figures viii
- List of tables x
- Acknowledgements xi
- Permissions xiii
- List of abbreviations xiv
- Introduction 1
- 1 A policy process approach to the poor laws 17
- 2 Gilbert’s Act 56
- 3 Restricting relief 111
- 4 Policies from knowledge networks 150
- 5 Policies from scandal 197
- 6 Conclusion 248
- Appendix 268
- Select bibliography 279
- Index 289
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i 1
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of figures viii
- List of tables x
- Acknowledgements xi
- Permissions xiii
- List of abbreviations xiv
- Introduction 1
- 1 A policy process approach to the poor laws 17
- 2 Gilbert’s Act 56
- 3 Restricting relief 111
- 4 Policies from knowledge networks 150
- 5 Policies from scandal 197
- 6 Conclusion 248
- Appendix 268
- Select bibliography 279
- Index 289
