Since the state must necessarily provide subsistence for the criminal poor while undergoing punishment, not to do the same for the poor who have not offended is to give a premium on crime.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Providing for criminals during punishment but not for honest poor creates a financial incentive for crime.
- In plain terms
- Helping criminals but not innocent poor people encourages crime.
- What can you take from it?
- Equal support for all poor reduces crime incentives.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Does welfare encourage dependency or stability?
- How should society value non-offenders?
Another view
It oversimplifies complex economic drivers of crime.
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