Useless to the world: pauperism, supernumerary individuals and the management of misery up until the 19th century

Abstract

This paper explores the problem of managing misery and its effects throughout the Middle Ages and part of Modernity. It examines the feudal manor confessional and ecclesiastical social assistance, as well as the assistance of brotherhoods and guilds, and also philanthropy and mutualism. It evidences that this problem and its effects have been subject to management attempts from a mixture of assistance and repression. Studying the operation of the poor laws, workhouses and charity ateliers, also evidences the relationship between assistance and compulsion for work, as well as the moral supervision of the objects of assistance.

Keywords

• Miséria
• Assistência
• Fiscalização moral.