Deirdre McCloskey challenges several traditional explanations for the prosperity experienced in Western nations, arguing that they often fall short of capturing the true essence of what has driven this remarkable economic success. Many of these explanations focus on material factors such as resources, geography, or capitalism as the sole contributors to wealth generation. However, McCloskey posits that these factors alone do not adequately account for the extraordinary growth and development observed in Western societies. Instead, she emphasizes the role of ideas, particularly the emergence of a new social attitude towards commerce and the middle class's contribution to society. According to her, the primary and distinctive factor responsible for Western prosperity is the rise of a culture that values innovation, entrepreneurship, and the dignity of work. This cultural shift, she argues, allowed for the flourishing of a vibrant middle class that embraced these ideals, leading to unprecedented economic growth and social progress.
The Congress of Vienna settlement in 1815 marked a significant turning point in European political history, leading to the establishment of the Concert of Europe. This international political doctrine was characterized by a collective effort among the major powers of Europe to maintain political boundaries, balance power among nations, and respect established spheres of influence. The Concert of Europe aimed to prevent the outbreak of large-scale conflicts similar to the Napoleonic Wars by promoting diplomacy and cooperation among European states. It directed foreign policy among these nations for several decades, fostering a relatively stable political environment that allowed for economic development and the pursuit of national interests without the immediate threat of war. This period of relative peace and stability is often credited with facilitating the conditions necessary for the Industrial Revolution and the subsequent economic transformations that shaped modern Europe.
The Carlsbad Decrees (German: Karlsbader Beschlüsse), implemented in 1819, were a series of reactionary restrictions imposed by the German Confederation in response to growing nationalist and liberal movements within the region. These decrees aimed to suppress any form of dissent or revolutionary sentiment that could threaten the established order, reflecting the conservative backlash against the political changes that had occurred during and after the Napoleonic Wars. The Carlsbad Decrees included measures such as the censorship of the press, the monitoring of universities, and the prohibition of student organizations deemed subversive. By enforcing these regulations, the authorities sought to stifle liberal ideas and maintain control over the political landscape, ultimately highlighting the tensions between progressive movements advocating for greater freedom and the conservative forces striving to uphold traditional power structures. This period of repression had lasting implications for the political development of Germany and the broader European continent, setting the stage for future conflicts and the eventual rise of more democratic ideologies.
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