Chamberlain’s strategy proved very popular among the newly enfranchised working classes, who had the most to gain but didn’t have to pay taxes. As a successful businessman, Chamberlain’s views on the matter were respected by many influential people who would otherwise have been skeptical. While Chamberlain and his colleagues were in large part driven by altruism—which set them apart from Chadwick and his ilk—the economic benefits of their strategy weren’t lost on them either. They understood that ignoring health was counterproductive. A sickly working class was not just bad for the urban poor,
...more
