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This Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation Has Been Downloaded from Explore Bristol Research This electronic thesis or dissertation has been downloaded from Explore Bristol Research, http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk Author: Kim, Suk Ho Title: John Ruskin's humanistic economics General rights Access to the thesis is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International Public License. A copy of this may be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode This license sets out your rights and the restrictions that apply to your access to the thesis so it is important you read this before proceeding. Take down policy Some pages of this thesis may have been removed for copyright restrictions prior to having it been deposited in Explore Bristol Research. However, if you have discovered material within the thesis that you consider to be unlawful e.g. breaches of copyright (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please contact [email protected] and include the following information in your message: •Your contact details •Bibliographic details for the item, including a URL •An outline nature of the complaint Your claim will be investigated and, where appropriate, the item in question will be removed from public view as soon as possible. John Ruskin's Humanistic Economics Suk Ho Kim A dissertation submitted to the University of Bristol in accordance with the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D. ) in Economics in the Faculty of Social Science and Law Department of Economics July 2005 Word count: 58,788 Abstract John Ruskin was a very influential social critic in the late nineteenthcentury and some regardedhis economic thought as an alternative to the orthodox economics of the time. However, his influence disappearedfor most of the twentieth century. Recently, there has been a modest revival of interest in his economicsand this thesis aims to provide an analysis of Ruskin's economics. This thesis considershow material prosperity can be achieved. This is related to the issue of how an ideal economic system should be organized. Adam Smith's invisible hand and the visible hand of the State are usually thought of as possible alternatives. I argue that there is a more viable alternative, that I call John Ruskin's `invisible hand', where altruism rather than selfishnessis the prime mover of a well-functioning economy. This thesis also considerswhat kind of economy is worth pursuing. While Ruskin proposedways to achievematerial prosperity, his emphasiswas rather on the enhancementof the quality of life of human beings. What he has to say about human beings is directed to the whole person rather than to `economic man'. I examinehis claim that human beings should be at the centre of economics. Persistenthostility towards Ruskin's economicshas discouragedeconomists from studying Ruskin. This thesis assessesDavid Levy and SandraPeart's formidable critique of Ruskin which has appearedsince around 2000. Their argumentbegan from their new interpretation of Thomas Carlyle's `dismal science', which I examine alongsidetheir related argumentsagainst Ruskin. by This thesis concludes assessingwhether Ruskin's ideas were beneficial to the nineteenthcentury British economy, and whether they can be beneficial to the economy of the twenty-first century. Dedication and Acknowledgements A quarter century have passedsince I first read Adam Smith's Wealthof Nations as a freshmanand I am thankful for all the support from numerouspeople that enabledme to presentthis thesis. First of all, I am very grateful to my supervisor ProfessorAnthony Alan Brewer. He introduced me to the study of John Ruskin's economicswhich I found fascinating. His brilliant insight during our discussions,his patient and diligent supervising enabledme to produce this thesis. In fact, he has been more than a thesis supervisorto me. Since I first met him a decadeago, he has encouragedand supportedmy researchand I am very much indebted to him. I am also thankful to my advisor ProfessorJonathan Temple for his valuable suggestionsduring occassionaldiscussions that enhancedthe quality of my work. My appreciation also goes to other membersof the academicand administrative staff, and fellow Ph.D. studentsfor all the valuable assitanceand friendship they have so generouslyrendered. I am also grateful to ProfessorPeter H. Lindert, ProfessorMartine Quinzii, ProfessorHak Yong Rhee, ProfessorKwang Soo Lee and ProfessorDuk-Ki Hong for their encouragementand support even after I came to Bristol. I am also thankful for KT's financial support and for allowing me leave. I wish to dedicatethis thesis to my father Sam Jin Kim and my mother Jeong Eun Kim for whose unlimited love and care I am indebted for my whole life. My special thanks belong to my two sons, Do Eon and Ju Eon and my wife Seung Hee who have endureddifficult times as the family of a Ph.D. student and have made my days here enjoyable. ii Authors' Declaration I declare that the work in this dissertationwas carried out in accordancewith the Regulations of the University of Bristol. The work is original, except where indicated by special referencein the text, and no part of the dissertationhas been submitted for any other academicaward. Any views expressedin the dissertationare those of the author and in no way representthose of the University of Bristol. The disserationhas not been presentedto any other University for examination either in the United Kingdom or overseas. SIGNED:...... le ... ... ........... U.. ý.. ý..... ý7 DATE: /..... l..... ........ -'. 111 Table of Contents Abstract ! Dedication and Acknowledgements ii Author's Declaration iii List of Tables xi Chapter 1. Introduction 1 1.1. From 1 a celebrity to anonymity .................................................. 1.1.1 A 1 nineteenthcentury celebrity ................................................. 1.1.2 Disappearance Ruskin's influence the 1930s? 4 of since .................... 1.1.3 Modest interest in 7 revival of recent years..................................... 1.1.4 Literature Review 8 ................................................................. The thesis 13 1.1.5 scopeof this ......................................................... 1.2. A brief John Ruskin's life & thought 14 sketch of .............................. 1.2.1 A father an 14 merchant and evangelical mother................................. 1.2.2 Love of nature, art, architecture, mineralogy 15 and geology .................. Early 16 1.2.3 years as an art critic ........................................................ 1.2.4 Later years as a social reformer and 17 economist............................... 1.3 Preliminary Ruskin's 19 notes on economics....................................... 1.3.1 Economics as a normative as well as 19 a positive science...................... 1.3.2 The need for a constructive reading 20 .............. .................. iv Chapter 2. John Ruskin's `invisible hand'? 22 Introduction 22 2.1 ............................................................................ invisible hand 24 2.2 John Ruskin's ...................................................... 2.2.1 Ruskin's his the `invisible hand' 24 statementof version of .................... Another kind `invisible hand' 28 2.2.2 of ................................................. Philosophical Background 1: Laws Providence 29 2.2.3 of ............................. 2.2.4 Philosophical Background 2: practical difficulty of realizing self-interest..32 Smith's invisible hand 39 2.3. Adam reconsidered ...................................... The invisible hand in the Wealth Nations 39 2.3.1 of ..................................... The invisible hand in the Theory Moral Sentiments 2.3.2 of ................. Smith Ruskin 49 2.3.3 Reconciliation of and .............................................. Ruskin's invisible hand 53 2.4 Three examples where works ......................... from "various" 54 2.4.1 Pleasure work ...................................................... Wage 56 2.4.2 Efficiency ..................................................................... labour 73 2.4.3 Humane relations.......................................................... for harmony 78 2.5 Emphasis on the need class .......................................... the hand the State 82 2.6 Ruskin's view of visible - ..................................... 2.6.1 Two either a constructive or destructive 82 possibilities: a role .................. is 2.6.2 Government's primary role the provision of necessaries:welfare state?..83 V 2.6.3 Government's the 84 role: ensuring provision of quality goods.................. 2.6.4 Ruskin's ideal the 86 of government.................................................. 2.7 Conclusion ................................................................................ 87 Chapter 3. Putting the `whole person' at the centre of the economy 90 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................... 90 Material 3.2 wealth ........................................................................ 91 3.2.1 ExchangeValue 93 ..................................................................... Intrinsic Value 3.2.2 ..................................................................... 101 3.2.3 Usefulness Usableness-Capacity 102 vs. ............................................ Effectual Value 3.2.4 ...................................................................
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