Poverty and Economic Thought

In early modern Europe, poverty became a matter of intense debate. The discussion led to a fundamental shift in outlook and approach. Poverty became less “natural”, it was associated with human actions and failings. Writers on political economy introduced sharp distinctions between deserving and undeserving poor. Poverty acquired novel meanings and was perceived as “a moral scourge”, linking need with immorality and laziness. In turn, this led to institutional innovations and new patterns of relief. European attitudes have had an enduring worldwide influence. Colonial stereotypes such as those about the ‘lazy natives’ are part of the European global cultural legacy.