About the book
Much of today’s political rhetoric decries the welfare state and our maze of government regulations. Critics hark back to a time before the state intervened so directly in citizens' lives. In The People’s Welfare, William Novak refutes this vision of a stateless past by documenting America’s long history of government regulation in the areas of public safety, political economy, public property, morality, and public health. Challenging the myth of American individualism, Novak recovers a distinctive nineteenth-century commitment to shared obligations and public duties in a well-regulated society. Novak explores the by-laws, ordinances, statutes, and common law restrictions that regulated almost every aspect of America’s society and economy, including fire regulations, inspection and licensing rules, fair marketplace laws, the moral policing of prostitution and drunkenness, and health and sanitary codes. Based on a reading of more than one thousand court cases in addition to the leading legal and political texts of the nineteenth century, The People’s Welfare demonstrates the deep roots of regulation in America and offers a startling reinterpretation of the history of American governance.
Editions of The People’s Welfare
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807822920
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780807846117
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807863657
- PDF
- ISBN 9798890866523
Read an Excerpt
Much of today’s political rhetoric decries the welfare state and our maze of government regulations. Critics hark back to a time before the state intervened so directly in citizens' lives. In The People’s Welfare, William Novak refutes this vision of a stateless past by documenting America’s long history of government regulation in the areas of public safety, political economy, public property, morality, and public health. Challenging the myth of American individualism, Novak recovers a distinctive nineteenth-century commitment to shared obligations and public duties in a well-regulated society. Novak explores the by-laws, ordinances, statutes, and common law restrictions that regulated almost every aspect of America’s society and economy, including fire regulations, inspection and licensing rules, fair marketplace laws, the moral policing of prostitution and drunkenness, and health and sanitary codes. Based on a reading of more than one thousand court cases in addition to the leading legal and political texts of the nineteenth century, The People’s Welfare demonstrates the deep roots of regulation in America and offers a startling reinterpretation of the history of American governance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The People’s Welfare about?
Much of today’s political rhetoric decries the welfare state and our maze of government regulations. Critics hark back to a time before the state intervened so directly in citizens' lives. In The People’s Welfare, William Novak refutes this vision of a stateless past by documenting America’s long history of government regulation in the areas of public safety, political economy, public property, morality, and public health. Challenging the myth of American individualism, Novak recovers a distinctive nineteenth-century commitment to shared obligations and public duties in a well-regulated society. Novak explores the by-laws, ordinances, statutes, and common law restrictions that regulated almost every aspect of America’s society and economy, including fire regulations, inspection and licensing rules, fair marketplace laws, the moral policing of prostitution and drunkenness, and health and sanitary codes. Based on a reading of more than one thousand court cases in addition to the leading legal and political texts of the nineteenth century, The People’s Welfare demonstrates the deep roots of regulation in America and offers a startling reinterpretation of the history of American governance.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The People’s Welfare?
History and Archaeology > History > History of the Americas
Where can I read a sample of The People’s Welfare?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807822920
How long is The People’s Welfare and how many pages does it have?
The People’s Welfare has 408 page(s)
Is The People’s Welfare part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Studies in Legal History
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The People’s Welfare?
William J. Novak
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The People’s Welfare is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807822920) and paperback(ISBN 9780807846117) and ebook(ISBN 9780807863657) and pdf(ISBN 9798890866523)
Where can I buy The People’s Welfare online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The People’s Welfare from below
Where can I buy The People’s Welfare?