Lloyd, Moya Susan (1986) The place of ideas about property in political theory in Great Britain between 1750-1850 : with special reference to labour and value theories, and the distribution of wealth between classes. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This dissertation is concerned with ideas about property presented in British political theory between 1750-1850. It focuses not only on the major traditions of Utilitarianism and Natural Rights, but, also, since there is an obvious gap in the literature, on those ideas about property implicit in classical political economy. The study begins with the theory of property advanced by Adam Smith, concentrating on the relationship between property and the stadial thesis, observing that this latter thesis represents a referential framework for Smith's ideas on property, with property differentiation a defining characteristic of each stage. Next we examine the links between labour, value, and distribution in Smith's economics, concluding that the ambiguities within Smithian value and distribution theory provide both impetus and material for the Ricardians' conception of value and distribution. We then examine the Ricardians' views on value and distribution, concluding that both represent empirical/explanatory theories, founded upon the assumed legitimacy of the prevailing property structure. This discussion is followed by an account of the Utilitarian theory of property, centring on the connections between security and equality. It is the same concern with security found in the Utilitarian thought, we conclude, that underlies classical political economy, and not notions derived from Locke as frequently asserted. Thomas Hodgskin's natural rights theory of property provides the substance of the next chanter. Here we illuminate the various senses with which Hodqskin invests the term "natural", and consider the tension between those Smithian and Lockean elements incorporated into Hodgskin's theory. The theories of just appropriation advanced by the anti-Ricardians, and their links with "exploitation", the exchange mechanism, and monopoly ownership of the means of production, are our next concern. Finally, we consider the various plans designed by the anti-Ricardians to reconcile labour with its product, which include am artisanal model, three communitarian schemes, and two proposals for monetary reform.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory J Political Science > JA Political science (General)
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Income distribution -- Great Britain -- History -- 18th century, Income distribution -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century, Property -- Political aspects
Official Date:	November 1986
Dates:	Date Event November 1986 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Politics and International Studies
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Lively, Jack ; Reeve, Andrew
Sponsors:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain)
Extent:	2 volumes (viii, 591 leaves)
Language:	eng

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