Concept of education

1.2. The politics of the Ancien Régime The absolute monarchies and the parliamentary monarchy in England • The absolute monarchies • The model: Louis XIV of France (1643-1715). He did not called the Estates General, he controlled the government and he intervened in the economy (mercantilism) • Spain: Lesser Hapsburgs • Parliamentary monarchy in England • Civil War between Royalists (Charles I) and Parliamentarians • Republic: Lord Protector • Charles II and James II: absolute monarchy • Glorious Revolution (1688): Bill of Rights • Parliamentary monarchy: two chambers. House of Lords and House of Commons • 1707 United Kingdom of Great Britain. 2. The Economy and society of the Ancien Régime • Economy • Traditional agriculture: low productivity + not commercial + their own needs + outdated techniques + (drought years = famine) • Dominance of the guilds • Domestic trade (Little). Foreign trade (Triangular Trade) • Mercantilism (economic system): country’s wealth depend on how much gold and silver it had + protectionist policies. 4.2. The economic ideas of the Enlightenment Two new economic doctrines appear • Physiocracy: the wealth of a nation came from its natural resources • Agriculture is the main source of wealth • Craftsmanship and trade are secondary activities, since the rely on agriculture • Monarchs should not intervene in the economy (no protectionist measures) • Economic liberalism: the state should not intervene in the processes of production or exchange of goods. It should allow individual business owners to create wealth • Adam Smith • Freedom of production • Free trade: no restrictions between countries • Free competition: improve qualitiy and/or reduce prices • Law of supply and demand. 5. Enlightened despotism • Definition: new form of governmeth in the 18th century. It combine absolute monarchy with Enlightenment ideas to modernise the country and to improve people’s wellbeing • Characteristics: • Kings maintained their absolute power (centralised governments) • Changes peacefully: education and new laws • Examples: Catherine the Great of Russia, Joseph II of Austria and Charles III of Spain • Enlightened reforms: • Unification of the legal system • Modernisation of the army • Promotion of agriculture, industry and education • Failure: it had not separation of power + it maintained estates system.