Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
Chapter 4: Origins of Western Democratic Liberalism
121
Origins of Western Democratic Liberalism
Chapter 4
Adam Smith & the Wealth of Nations
- Challenged the ideas behind the mercantilist system.
- Mercantilism did not distribute wealth throughout society.
- A fairer distribution of wealth would only come if people had more say in WHAT they made, HOW they made it and for WHAT PRICE they sold it.
- Criticized monopolies that were granted by the government leaders.
- Believed in LIMITED GOVERNMENT that only protects the security of the people.
Western European Origins of Liberalism
In the 1700 & 1880's, the royal families of Europe enjoyed absolute power and wealth. Commoners did not have these privileges as many of them were enslaved, and restricted from learning how to read and write (Why?).
Therefore, over time, these abuses of power created an environment by which the people started to challenge the existing structures of European society.
Supply and Demand
Liberal Ideas on Economic Systems
- Prior to the Industrial Revolution, Europe's economic system was based on MERCANTILISM.
- This means that countries needed to export more than they import. Basically selling more than they bought.
- Any money left over created profit. In order to make this profit many workers were needed and most of the profit went to the government.
- The result: the leaders, usually monarchs, lived in luxury while the workers lived in very poor conditions.
vs
The Great Law of Peace
The Class System
The Great Law of Peace is the constitution (the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed) of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
The Great Law of Peace has been passed orally from generation to generation to ensure unity and harmony, the division of powers of government and to guarantee the rights and freedoms of the individual.
This is a division within a society usually based on wealth or, the "have's" and the "have not's." During this time, wealth was not distributed equally which then lent itself to huge gaps between the rich and the poor.
Upper Class:
Nobility
Look at before and after:
Figure 4-6 pg 103
Middle Class:
Business owners
WORKING CLASS:
Manual labourers
design by Dóri Sirály for Prezi