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Laissez Faire Economics and the Welfare State Simple poverty was for long at the heart of the development of the welfare state. There was much dispute and deliberation over who was responsible for the social welfare of the people of Britain and by how much state should intervene. State intervention however was not always as a result of humanitarianism, but of self-interest. The roots of the classic modern welfare state can be traced back as far as Elizabethan times with the Poor Law of 1603 being introduced as a means of social control with local parishes compelled to provide for those unable to work. (Birch, 1974) It wasn't until the 19th century however that the first calls for state intervention were made. The duties of 19th century governments extended little beyond diplomacy, defence and warfare. (Merriman, 1996) Taxes were raised to fight the frequent wars in which Britain was then engaged but the...

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