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speenhamland system  

Definition

  • SPEENHAMLAND IS NAMED for the town of Speen in Berkshire County, England, where the magistrates established a poverty relief system rooted in the belief that every citizen is entitled to a minimum standard of living. In May 1795, the magistrates declared “the present state of the poor law requires further assistance than has generally been given them” and dictated that citizens be entitled to a minimum guaranteed income, irrespective of earnings. [Source: Encyclopedia of World Poverty; Speenhamland System]

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https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/speenhamland_system

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