عنوان

The place of ideas about property in political theory in Great Britain between 1750-1850 :

Number

TLets380779

Title Proper

The place of ideas about property in political theory in Great Britain between 1750-1850 :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Lloyd, Moya Susan

Title Proper by Another Author

with special reference to labour and value theories, and the distribution of wealth between classes

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Warwick

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

1986

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of Warwick

Text preceding or following the note

1986

Text of Note

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.

HB Economic Theory

JA Political science (General)

Lloyd, Moya Susan

University of Warwick

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y