19th Century Political and Labor Movements: Liberalism to Marx

Liberalism: Ideology and Transformation

Liberalism is a set of ideological and political transformations that occurred in Europe and America between the late 18th century and the end of the Napoleonic era (1815).

Its principal declaration of rights, concerning Man and Citizen (1789), stated:

• The development of individual liberties, leading to the progress of society.
• The establishment of a rule of law, where all persons are equal before the law.
• The absolute separation of powers, represented by parliaments and the constitution.

The Labor Movement and the 19th-Century Working Class

The Labor Movement is a social movement seeking improved welfare for workers. It emerged during the Industrial Revolution due to the lack of rights afforded to factory workers. It began in England.

In the absence of legislation regulating industrial activity, workers faced severe conditions:

• Workdays often exceeded twelve hours.
• Children worked alongside adults.
• Proletarians replaced artisans, fixing labor conditions in exchange for a wage.

The first manifestations of the labor movement were expressed through Luddism, which blamed technology for the loss of the small artisan's ability to work.

19th-Century Working Class Conditions

The working class lived in precarious situations:

• The workforce was employed and paid daily.
• Workdays lasted 14 or 16 hours of hard labor.
• Discipline was harsh; workers could be punished and fired at the owner's will.
• Children and women worked.
• Housing conditions were poor, leading to small living spaces, malnutrition, and high mortality rates.

Luddism (1811 onwards)

Luddism was a labor movement that gained momentum in England starting in 1811. Its actions were based on spontaneous and disorganized revolt, frequently involving attacks on the instruments of production (machinery).

Ideologically, the movement opposed technology, believing it caused man to lose his capacity for work and creative ability. The movement takes its name from the mythical figure, Ned Ludd.

Utopian Socialism

Utopian Socialism refers to doctrines of social reform that emerged in the early 19th century, prior to the rise of Marxism and Anarchism. These doctrines responded to the serious problems caused by the triumph of industrialism and liberalism in Europe.

Key figures include:

• Robert Owen
• Henri de Saint-Simon
• Étienne Cabet

Chartism (1838)

Chartism was a social reform movement named after the People's Charter of 1838. It represented the agitation of the working class against the Poor Laws.

Its primary objectives included:

• Universal male suffrage.
• Annual parliaments.
• Salaries for Members of Parliament (deputies).

Major 19th-Century Political Doctrines

Marxism (Scientific Socialism)

Marxism consists of political and philosophical doctrines derived from the work of Karl Marx. It developed a theory of scientific socialism aimed at changing society through three main areas:

1. Analysis of past historical dislocation through class critique.
2. Critique of the current capitalist system.
3. Proposal of a future communist project.

Anarchism

Anarchism promotes individual autonomy and is fundamentally contrary to government authority. It strongly criticizes capitalist society.

A key early proponent was Pierre-Joseph Proudhon.