Poverty in Britain, 1890-1914: Booth, Rowntree and Bowley's measurements

¶ … causes of poverty in Britain in the period c. 1890-1914

Britain, in 1890 was rather sequestered than allied due to the highly politicized environment especially in Europe. The triple alliance1 of Germany, Austria and Italy left Britain alone in the upcoming war environment having another rival, France. In such a situation, Britain had to find her own way of surviving and thus, made alliance with France only for surviving the existing circumstances2.

While that was the condition in Britain in 1890 and at the very beginning of the 19th century, several measurements on poverty were carried out by Charles Booth, Seebohm Rowntree and Arthur Lyon Bowley3 respectively, more focusing on 'primary and secondary' poverty aspects. By means they are; 'families whose total earnings are insufficient to obtain the minimum necessities for the maintenance of merely physical efficiency' and 'families whose total earnings would be sufficient for the maintenance of merely physical efficiency were it not that some portion of it is absorbed by other expenditures, either useful or wasteful'4. From these definitions, it is obvious that the poverty measurements are acquired, giving one set of parameters substantial importance. That is, 'fulfillment of basic needs'.

Generally, a war environment surely brings collateral, direct and indirect adverse effects on almost all prospects of a country. Being alone in one side worsens it in every way. Trades with bordering countries closes off, state's reserves are spent on military purposes; inland industries cater demands of military thus striking down exports, foreign funds flow overseas, loss of human lives etc. As the remaining reserves are further spent on military purposes and since there are no funds flowing in, the local currency weakens. This increases the cost of living and diminishes people's savings, where it leads to poverty gradually.