hemilar “ism” summary

Context of Nineteenth Century Political Ideologies

The end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth century saw substantial social and political upheaval in Europe, influenced by the Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, and the suppression of nationalist revolts during Metternich's conservative era. These disruptions prompted individuals to develop and adopt new ideologies seeking change.

Liberalism

Liberalism, rooted in Enlightenment thought, emphasizes individual rights, popular sovereignty, and limited government. It advocates for enlightened self-interest, signifying that societal actions align with individual interests. Key figures include Jeremy Bentham, who introduced utilitarianism—judging actions by their contributions to overall happiness—and John Stuart Mill, who expanded on Bentham’s ideas and advocated for equal rights for women and marginalized groups, as seen in his work "The Subjection of Women." Chartism arose in England promoting universal male suffrage, resisting the elitism of liberalism that confined rights to property owners.

Socialism

Socialism emerged as a reaction to the wealth disparity driven by the Industrial Revolution, arguing for communal ownership of production means. Utopian socialism, associated with Henri de Saint-Simon, proposed a society led by workers without poverty but lacked practical application. Conversely, scientific socialism, pioneered by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, viewed history through class struggles, asserting the proletariat would ultimately overthrow the bourgeoisie. This perspective culminated in the publication of "The Communist Manifesto." Marx's theories included equal rights, inspiring women like Clara Zetkin and Rosa Luxemburg to advocate for workers' and women's rights.

Anarchism

Anarchism questioned the necessity of government authority, advocating for voluntary cooperation in society. Prominent anarchists like Mikhail Bakunin and Georges Sorel encouraged revolutionary movements to dismantle the state, envisioning self-governing communities and syndicalist structures where labor unions held property rights.