Life and Society in the Old Regime: An Historical Analysis

The Old Regime: Traditional Rural Society

In the 18th century, the world was less populated than today. The birth rate was very high, as was the mortality rate. This was due to poor sanitation, a lack of hygiene, prevalent diseases, and especially poor and unvaried nutrition. Population growth was low, with birth and death rates nearly balanced. The majority of the population was illiterate and unaware of other cultures. Means of transportation were scarce, expensive, slow, and insecure. This resulted in a significant lack of information and contributed to a socially stable and traditional world.

Agrarian Economy and Early Capitalism

The majority of the population lived in villages or small towns in rural areas, working in agriculture and livestock. Traditional agriculture was inefficient. Europe was dominated by cereal cultivation in open fields (the open-field system), with partial triennial crop rotation. Agricultural practices were largely subsistence-based, and the food supply depended on the success or failure of harvests. Plantation agriculture was an exception, delivering products overseas. The workforce on plantations was not free; it consisted of enslaved Black people or semi-enslaved laborers. In trade, Britain led the exchange of overseas and high-value handicraft products. Trade continued to increase and grew as a result of nascent industrial activity in Europe, leading to the rise of commercial capitalism.

Early Industrial Activities

• Artisan Workshops: Artisans were grouped in guilds.
• Domestic Production System (Putting-Out System): Frequent in villages and suburbs of large cities.
• Large numbers of people worked in their own homes; a merchant supplied raw materials and tools, then collected finished goods for sale.

Stratified Social Structure

In this era, society remained stratified, divided into three orders: the nobility, the clergy, and the Third Estate. The nobility and clergy were privileged, forming a closed group accessible only by inheritance or purchase of titles. The clergy was theoretically an open group, accessible to anyone. However, in practice, senior positions were monopolized by members of the nobility. The Third Estate constituted the majority of society and held no privileges. Within it, two main groups could be distinguished: peasants and the bourgeoisie. Peasants were the largest group; they were free and could be proprietors or tenants working the lands of others. The bourgeois group, a minority, was dedicated to commerce, industry, or administration. They possessed significant purchasing power and high cultural preparation, earning prestige but lacking social power.