试论英国工业革命时期济贫法的调整

英国的济贫法作为官方救助贫困的主要措施,自1601年颁布,到1948年废除,走过了漫长的历史道路。其间,法律经过多次调整,努力适应不同历史时期的社会环境。英国工业革命是英国历史上一个特定时期,这个时期济贫法的调整和变动尤其引人注目。它揭示出在工业社会市场经济条件下,社会安全和经济发展两者不可偏废。但是在实际当中,除了特定的历史情景,前者更容易被忽视。

On the Adjustments of the Poor Law in England, 1601-1832

In the period of the Industry Revolution, England was gradually transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial one. So, there was the need to reshape the Poor Law to meet new conditions. But the adjustments of the Poor Law, stressing economic development to the neglect of social security and social welfare, did not come off all right.