Bentham on population and government

Abstract

Examines English social theorist & reformer Jeremy Bentham’s (1748-1832) views on the role of government in population control focusing on the 1843 version of his Manual of Political Economy. A recurring theme in Bentham’s writings is consideration of what the government should & should not provide the populace. Assurance of subsistence & security & promotion of prosperity & equality are advocated, though excluding promotion of public health & provision of health services, government intervention in population matters was generally not warranted. Government inaction in population concerns is the best course. Pronatalist incentives, limits on urban expansion, & prohibition of emigration are all symptoms of misguided policy & signals of government failure. D. Generoli.