Memoir on Pauperism [Hardcover]

De Alexis Tocqueville (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 156663167X | ISBN-13: 978-1566631679 | Publication Date: September 1, 1997

Immediately after completing the first volume of Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote his Memoir on Pauperism. It was inspired by a visit to England two years earlier and was surely in his mind while he was writing Democracy. In the "Memoir," Tocqueville seeks to understand why the most impoverished countries of Europe in his time have the fewest paupers, while the most opulent country, England, has the most. He finds that England’s public charity—possible because of its successful economy—has produced a pauper class: the unforeseen and unfortunate consequences of good intentions. By removing the necessity for work, public charity breeds other miseries. Here in book form for the first time, Tocqueville’s "Memoir" still resonates in our postindustrial society. As Gertrude Himmelfarb notes in her introduction, "We can see the shadow of our chronically dependent 'underclass’ in Tocqueville’s description of the pauper class…. We can also, today more than ever, appreciate Tocqueville’s criticism of public charity as a legal right—an 'entitlement,’ as we now say." This cogent Memoir on Pauperism is a notable contribution to the idea of civil society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

What are we to make of poverty in the age of democracy? Tocqueville answering that question with resounding force. (Mitchell, Joshua Harvard Divinity School Bulletin )

His genius shines through in Memoir on Pauperism...fascinating and an informative read. (Washington Post )

His genius shines through in Memoir on Pauperism...fascinating and an informative read. (Washington Post )

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 81 pages
• Publisher: Ivan R Dee (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156663167X
• ISBN-13: 978-1566631679
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Short Essay from Tocqueville, December 27, 2010

By 

Harris F. Dodd (San Antonio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Memoir on Pauperism (Hardcover)

Written in 1835, at 36 pages, Memoir of Pauperism is more of an essay than a book. Gertrude Himmelfarb sets the context with a nice 21 page introduction. Because of the size, you won't find the same level of investigation or depth as in Democracy in America or the Ancien Regime and the French Revolution; however, Tocqueville's writing style is ever the same: thoughtful and concise.

First, Tocqueville presents a theory on the development of inequality among men. Then, he gets into the specifics of the problem of the poor in England with special emphasis on his criticism and deconstruction of the English state welfare system.

It is much the same argument and issues that surround the subject today.

As social commentary from Tocqueville is always of the highest order, This work is a worthy addition to a library.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memoir on Pauperism, September 13, 2010

By 

Denise - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Memoir on Pauperism (Paperback)

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