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Moral judgements and employment policies in Birmingham (1870-1914) : multiplying the categories and treatments of the "undeserving"

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Mah, Alice. (2009) Moral judgements and employment policies in Birmingham (1870-1914) : multiplying the categories and treatments of the "undeserving". International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol.29 (No.11/12). pp. 575-586. ISSN 0144-333X

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/01443330910999023

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the justifying arguments of various Birmingham organisations between 1870 and 1914 in classifying and treating the unemployed. Using a capability approach, the paper will examine how employment policies in Birmingham during this period promoted or limited capabilities of work, life and voice. Finally, implications for labour market policies today will be discussed.

Design/methodology/approach – The theoretical framework for this paper will draw on the capability approach to a person's well-being, developed by Amartya Sen and on theoretical and empirical developments of the capability approach by other authors such as Bonvin and Salais. This paper is based on historical archival research and analysis.

Findings – Birmingham was an exemplar of municipal social reform in late nineteenth century England, with the development of a range of public services such as education, electricity and public transport. However, the city's vision of civic reform was closely connected to the Liberal market logic of individual responsibility, and moral judgements of the unemployed served to multiply the categories and punitive treatments of the “undeserving”, separating the valid from the invalid citizen.

Originality/value – This case study of municipal employment policies in Birmingham at the turn of the twentieth century demonstrates the implications of moral judgements, classifications and treatments of the unemployed for people's capabilities in work and life, drawing connections to discourses of responsibility and citizenship today.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor

Divisions:

Faculty of Social Sciences > Sociology

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Birmingham (England) -- Economic conditions -- 19th century, Birmingham (England) -- Economic conditions -- 20th century, Unemployment -- England -- Birmingham -- History -- 19th century, Unemployment -- England -- Birmingham -- History -- 20th century, Manpower policy -- England -- Birmingham -- History -- 19th century, Manpower policy -- England -- Birmingham -- History -- 20th century, Birmingham (England) -- Social conditions -- 19th century, Birmingham (England) -- Social conditions -- 20th century

Journal or Publication Title:

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy

Publisher:

Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.

ISSN:

0144-333X

Official Date:

2009

Dates:

Date	Event
2009	Published

Volume:

Vol.29

Number:

No.11/12

Page Range:

pp. 575-586

Identification Number:

10.1108/01443330910999023

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Publication Status:

Published

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

Funder:

Sixth Framework Programme (European Commission) (FP6)

Grant number:

CAPRIGHT (FP6)

References:

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