Erik Gustaf Geijer and the Poor Laws

The Poor LawsPolitical Economy Essays by

Erik Gustaf Geijer

Björn Hasselgren, PhDKTH Royal Institute of Technology/Timbro

ESHET Annual Conference Paris 26-28 May 2016

The Erik Gustaf Geijer Translation Project

Erik Gustaf Geijer (1783-1847)• Born 1783 in western Swedish County Värmland, family owns

small business iron mill at Ransäter • Geijer studies at Uppsala University from 1799-1806. Inspired by

German idealism and utilitarian French revolutionary/egalitarian sentiments.

• Turns into a leading conservative/nationalist 1810-1835• Professor (History 1817-1846), elected Governor of the

University, several times elected to Parliament (the Riksdag). One of the most famous 19th century researchers and intellectuals in Sweden (scholar, poet, composer, active in public debate)

• Establishes a journal ”Litteratur-Bladet” in 1838 where he announces his ”Deflection” (”Affallet”) to liberalism

• Dies 1847 in Stockholm

The EG Geijer Translation Project

• Geijer was extremely productive; essays, lectures, articles etc.

• Only few translated to English• The Poor Laws and History of the Swedes

down to Charles X exceptions• A translation project is now under way,

covering a number of central texts (2016-17)

Geijer lecture manuscripts on Swedish History (1815-17), more than 4000 pages. Carolina Rediviva, Uppsala University Library

What is significant in Geijer’s writings?

• Geijer keeps returning to analysing the major social, political and economic dilemmas of the 19th century

• A basic question is whether society is constructed by man (”art”) or given by ”nature”

• How to handle the conflict between the new liberalism and the need for cohesion and conservative elements?

• ”Republicanism” or ”Feudalism” (1818-19)

”The Poor Laws and their Bearing on Society” (Fattigvårdsfrågan)

• Published in Litteratur-Bladet 1838-39 in a number of essays. Published in English 1842 in London.

• Nine essays covering historical, sociological, religious, political and political economy themes on ”pauperism” and the origins of inequality in society.

• Focus here is on Essays 4, 7-9.

Essay 4 – ”on the increase of population and its bearing on welfare”

• A long term perspective on population growth • The introduction of the English Poor Laws 1795 –

necessary but detrimental (incentives, cost)• Industrialization and liberal economic policies is

the (only) way forward to feed a growing population, Malthus’s view is not right.

• Subsequent transitions between ”orders” in society

• Now the ”third order”; democratization

Essay 7 – ”on corrective punishments”

• There will always be need for corrective measures to hinder poverty

• The public sector should have the responsibility, but voluntary associations are necessary

• A modern prison-system is important, part of the ”third order”(?)

• Tocqueville/Beaumont inspiration

Essay 8 – ”on negative means against pauperism”

• Different means against poverty are discussed:1. negative (Essay 7)2. palliatory – short term and with risk of sustaining poverty3. positive – active (”social and economic policy”) measures

• Work/poor houses in category 2 above should be restricted to

few -> generally develops into category 1 institutions• Important with state rather than local government responsibility• Important to design support in order to foster the self-

dependence of the poor• In case of recession, government support is justified

Essay 9 – ”on positive means against pauperism”

• Long term promotion of ”the welfare of society” makes necessary:– Good institutional frameworks with necessary

”quality”– Continuous change and evolution of ”wants” is a

historical fact – conservatism is a ”stationary view”– Law, moral and piety have to be combined– Liberal reform agenda; deregulation and trade– Examples from Germany

Conclusion 1 Romanticist/idealist or Anglosaxon liberal?

• Three periods in Geijer’s intellectual work (Hessler 1937): ”utilitarian liberal” 1798-1809 ”national conservative” 1809-1830-tal ”classical liberal” 1830-tal –

• Traditional view on G – strongly influenced by idealism/romanticism (Schelling etc.), society as an organism

• Less discussed – connection to the English/American view and ”classical liberal” scholars – Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Smith (moral philosophy)

• Strong influence; background in iron industry, stay in England 1809-10, Quarterly Journal och Edinburgh Journal

Conclusion 2 Poverty seen from a liberal economic and

institutional standpoint• ”Political economy” – industrialization and

personality principle ”individualism” – important themes

• The continuous development of society and the institutional framework basic assumption

• Rule of law, secure property rights and division of labour in combination with increased growth key for welfare

• Incentives are central in the formation of poverty reduction

Björn Hasselgren, PhDKTH Royal Institute of Technology/Timbro+46-70-762 3316Bjorn.hasselgren@abe.kth.seBjorn.hasselgren@timbro.se@hasselgrenB