The Origins of Public Aid in England

The podcast discusses the introduction of the first public relief program during Queen Elizabeth's reign, known as the Poor Law, designed to support the deserving poor such as the elderly and disabled. However, the law also created a distinction between the deserving and the 'idle poor,' who were seen as unwilling to work, leading to a system that forced unemployed individuals into labor. This approach reflects a broader societal belief that people required motivation through hardship to seek employment. The discussion highlights the inherent biases in how society views poverty and the implications of categorizing individuals based on their economic status.