The Ideologies of Change in Europe (1815-1850)

Ideologies of Change

  • Conservatism

    • Dominated from 1815 to 1830 but encountered liberal and nationalist movements.

  • Liberalism

    • Rooted in Enlightenment thought and revolutions in America and France.

    • Gained traction with the Industrial Revolution and the emerging industrial middle class.

    • Economic Liberalism

    • Advocated for laissez-faire, where the government should not interfere with economic activities.

    • Three primary functions of government:

      1. National defense.

      2. Police protection.

      3. Public works construction and maintenance.

    • Belief that unrestrained economic liberty promotes societal welfare.

    • Thomas Malthus (1766-1834)

    • Key work: Essay on the Principles of Population.

    • Argued that unchecked population growth exceeds food supply leading to inevitable misery (overpopulation, famine).

    • Nature imposes checks through poverty, disease, etc.

    • David Ricardo (1772-1823)

    • Developed the “Iron Law of Wages” in Principles of Political Economy (1817).

    • Explained the wage cycle correlated with population dynamics: rising population decreases wages and leads to poverty, which in turn reduces population and increases wages.

  • Political Liberalism

    • Core beliefs: protection of civil liberties, legal equality, freedom of speech, assembly, press, and protection from arbitrary arrest.

    • Support for written documents (e.g., Bill of Rights) to guarantee these freedoms.

    • Advocacy for constitutional monarchy with limited government powers.

    • Support for ministerial responsibility—accountability of ministers to legislature, not the monarch.

    • Limited suffrage to property-owning individuals (distrust of lower-class political power).

    • Prominent advocate: John Stuart Mill (1806-1873).

    • Key work: On Liberty—emphasizes individual sovereignty and freedom of opinion, warns against tyranny of majority.

    • Advocated for women’s rights, illustrated in On the Subjection of Women.

Nationalism in the 19th Century

  • Emergence of nationalism as a driving force from a communal sense of identity.

    • Awareness of shared institutions, histories, traditions, languages, and customs.

    • Nationalism linked to independence movements and national unity (e.g., German State Nationalism, Hungarian self-determination).

    • Interconnected with liberalism: belief that self-rule is essential for liberty.

Early Socialism

  • Responded to Industrial Revolution challenges: urban poverty and exploitation.

  • Defined by cooperative versus competitive economic structures:

    • Advocated the abolition of private property and capitalism.

  • Often called “utopian socialism” because of the utopian nature of its ideals, this approach sought to create a society where resources and wealth were distributed equitably among all members.

Notable Figures in Early Socialism

  • Charles Fourier (1772-1838)

    • Proposed 'phalansteries': model communities that emphasized cooperative living.

    • Suggested a rotating labor system to alleviate undesirable work responsibilities.

  • Robert Owen (1771-1858)

    • Established successful cooperative community in New Lanark, Scotland, aimed for ideal living conditions.

    • Failed attempt at a cooperative community in New Harmony, Indiana.

  • Louis Blanc (1813-1882)

    • Proposed public workshops funded by the government for employment.

Conclusion

  • Summary of political tensions in Europe between 1815-1850 focusing on the rise of liberalism and nationalism in the face of conservatism.

  • Identified the complexities of revolutionary movements and the implications for future political landscapes in Europe, particularly concerning class struggles and nationalist aspirations.