The Logic of Charity

Focusing on poor relief in preindustrial Europe from 1800 to 1850, this study examines it as both a survival mechanism for the impoverished and a means of control for the elites. It explores the dynamics of poverty alongside the interests of wealthier classes, presenting a model of poor relief informed by historical, sociological, and economic perspectives. The analysis is grounded in historical records from Amsterdam, highlighting enduring social policy issues and reflecting on the characteristics of Old Regime charity that have since disappeared.