Joseph Townsend's 1786 work, which has not yet been available in German, is one of the most influential texts ever written on the subject of poverty. The universal genius Townsend anticipated three fundamental discoveries: Malthus' principle of population, Darwin's natural selection, and the theory that markets function best when left to their own devices. His considerations on how the state must help the needy while also taking measures to reintegrate the able-bodied into the workforce remain relevant today. The editor's afterword outlines the historical context of the work and makes connections to current debates. A remarkable discovery!.