Key Concepts of Industrialization and Socialist Thought
Marxism
The political and social movement inspired by the theory and practice of Karl Marx. His theory rests on three pillars: the class struggle, the analysis of the capitalist system, and the seizure of political power by the workers.
Utopian Socialism
Innovative proposals that formed the first stream of socialist thought in the first half of the nineteenth century. Due to their utopian character, they were described as idealistic and naive by Karl Marx. The overall aim was to create an ideal society in which humans relate in peace, harmony, and equality.
Luddite Movement
A radical labor movement mobilized against the technical innovations of industrialization. Their actions involved destroying machines, which they blamed for rising unemployment and declining wages.
Labor Movement
A stable movement formed by groups of workers who take action to improve the living and working conditions of the working class and to protect the rights of employees against the objectives of employers.
Internationalism
The worker's own idea, according to which the labor movement should aim to transcend national state differences.
Guilds
Groups of craftsmen engaged in the same profession. They aimed to balance the demands of work and the number of active workshops to ensure work, wealth, and learning systems.
Mercantilism
Economic theory that considers a state to be wealthier based on its possession of precious metals.
Stratified Society
A society divided into classes or compartments where one is born and from which it is extremely difficult to leave.
Parliament
A group of representatives of the people who participate in the government and control its actions.
Colonial Trade
A system of exploitation of colonies in which cheap raw materials are sold to the metropolis.
Industrialization
The process by which a state or territorial community moves from an economy based on agriculture to one based on industrial development, which serves as the fundamental underpinning of GDP.
Economic Liberalism
An economic theory developed during the Enlightenment, primarily by Adam Smith, which advocates for minimal state interference in the economy.
Capitalism
An economic system that emerged in Europe in the sixteenth century, in which individuals and companies carry out the production and exchange of goods.
Proletariat
Workers in the industries of the nineteenth century who endured harsh working conditions and excessive hours. This new class was formed by industrial laborers.
Free Trade
An economic doctrine that calls for no government intervention in international trade, allowing the flow of goods to be governed by the advantages of each country and the competitiveness of enterprises.
Bourgeoisie
In the nineteenth century, this term referred to many different groups, including the old nobility, business owners, renters, senior officials, and professionals.