Contemporary Theorists Jeremy Bentham A famous philosopher and writer who was also responsible for ‘utilitarianism’, ideas well known in the 1830s, which influenced the Royal Commissions Report. He first focused on the poor and poverty in his 1798 book titled ‘Pauper Management Improved’ in which he proposed a profit-making organisation, National Charity, which would the body responsible for the poor. This organisation would eventually house a million people in one location, which would be the only place where relief was available. These industry houses would be harsh so only the most desperate would enter and push others to help themselves escape poverty. He proposed he would be leader and would maintain a high young population to maximise the profits of the company. His suggested approach was more efficient but some felt it showed disregard for the poor as they would be ‘virtual slave prisoners’ who are now dependent on the state. Thomas Malthus A noted demographer and economist who focused on population in his 1796 work ‘Essay on Population”. In which his main claim was that although the food supply would increase in the future it would eventually be outstripped by demand, which would inevitably end in famine. He stated the poor were simple beings who were unable to save resources, and who used all of their efforts on the present, never considering the future. The poor law encourages this attitude which prevents them reaching happiness. By abolition of the poor laws employers would pay higher wages due to less tax, the urge to have extra child would be removed. However he thought the unemployed still deserved benefit.

Robert Owen David Ricardo A factory owner and a pioneering socialist he thought differently, wanting to increase the government’s role in helping the poor. He suggested that the government should set up new co-operative communities where labourers could be sent, where they could obtain full benefit of their work and avoid abuse by factory owners. His ideas heavily influenced the working class but, as it required a restructure of social order, the government flatly rejected it. David Ricardo A successful city stock broker, notably during the wars against France, whose economic beliefs where influenced by Malthus and Adam Smith. These views were published in “Principles of Political Economy and Taxation” where he supported the idea of a ‘free market’ and introduced his ‘iron law of wages’. This Law stated that relief must always impoverish the poor to discourage dependency, and urge them to seek independent means of success. Through the Abolition of the poor laws he hoped Britain would become a more healthful state.

Thomas Paine Charles Dickens A radical writer and prominent political thinker who was much more sympathetic towards the poor in his book “Rights of Man” in 1792. He believed the poor laws need not be abolished but reformed to better provide for the poor. He brought forward proposals such as; replacing poor rates with land tax which could better effect rich landowners, increased distribution of wealth between rich and poor, and even the introduction of child benefit and pensions. However, he did believe to obtain such aid one would have to attend a workhouse. Charles Dickens A popular novelist in the 19th century he often criticized the workhouse system. One of most popular novels, Oliver Twist, is the best example of this.