English Political Enlightenment, Research Paper Example

This paper is about a discussion of the three ways in which English political enlightenment brought about positive changes in this country. The paper covers English political enlightenment between 16^th and 18^th century. The devastating wars in the 16^th and 17^th centuries were necessary for the abolition of absolute monarchies. Major breakthroughs in the scientific thought in the 17^th century overturned existing ideas about the world, setting the stage for modern science. Different European states were fighting for influence in the 18^th century. All these developments contributed to the development of the country in all spheres.

The devastating wars of the 16^th and the 17^th centuries led to the establishment of new political patterns after absolute monarchies were overturned and replaced by constitutional monarchies, thus leading to developments that led to political, economic and social progress that the country prides itself in today. In terms of politics, the end of Thirty Years’ War marked the beginning of Peace of Westphalia, which came with it very significant international political changes. Economically, hierarchical arrangements emerged which categorized people according to economic status. This, according to Edward, 1989, resulted in high mobility especially in higher order, something that is also experienced today[1]. Social progress came in the form of evolved cultural styles, which changed in a manner that led to dismissal of mystical powers and embracement of modern science. This paved way for great innovations and inventions in fields such as medicine, information technology, agriculture and architecture.

The major scientific breakthroughs were made possible by establishment of new scientific principles, internationalization of academic principles and evolution of new cultural styles.  The new scientific principles adopted involved experimentation, testing, observation and reasoning. Academic matters started to take on an international perspective in the same way that politics did, since the matters under discussion were of international significance. New cultural styles evolved whereby belief in the powers of mystical forces and magic lost influence, paving way for the scientific method of education. The same educational structures exist in the country today and have contributed greatly to prosperity in all spheres.

The struggle for influence among different states in the 18^th century led to creation of state’s power, which was exercised through the institutional of parliament, domination of different states by merchants and aristocrats and competition for prestige and influence among many European states. Upon creation of state’s power, says Hanawalt, 2007, domestic, financial and military policies could be conceived and implemented well, just as it is the case with today’s policies[2]. By dominating different states, merchants and aristocrats, many European countries lost influence, a scenario that catapulted them into the quest for lasting economic, political and social power, especially in England (Jervis, 1999)[3]. By competing for power and influence, different European states were able to maintain a balance of power through parliament, just like the one that makes the country economically and politically stable today.

In conclusion, the wars that characterized the 16^th and 17^th century societies, major scientific developments of the 17^th century and struggle for political influence and prestige among nation-states in the 18^th century, all contributed to the country’s abolition of absolutism, introduction of constitutional monarchies and finally, the parliament, leading to prosperity in subtle but very significant way. These developments led to establishment of new and stable political structures, scientific, industrial and agrarian revolutions, and more importantly, establishment of a balance of power within the realm of a new social order. For this reason, all the developments were necessary for development the country in all spheres.

Bibliography

Edward, White. The Eastern Establishment and the Western Experience: The West of Frederic Remington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Owen Wister.  Austin, TX: Yale University Press, 1989

Hanawalt, Barbara A. et al. The Western Experience, Volume 2 (Tenth Edition). London: McGraw Hill, 2007.

Jervis, John. Transgressing the Modern: Explorations in the Western Experience of Otherness, London: Wiley-Blackwell, 1999.

[1] White Edward. The Eastern Establishment and the Western Experience: The West of Frederic Remington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Owen Wister.  (Austin, TX: Yale University Press, 1989), 53.

[2] Barbara, A. Hanawalt, et al. The Western Experience, Volume 2 (Tenth Edition). (London: McGraw Hill, 2007) 67.

[3] John. Jervis. Transgressing the Modern: Explorations in the Western Experience of Otherness, (London: Wiley-Blackwell, 1999)  235.