Lecture # 15 Politics in the Age of Progress ( ) Abul Kalam Azad Senior Lecturer in Sociology Centre for GED, NUB

Introduction The strongest political forces of the period were the spread of democratic institutions and nationalism. The strongest political forces of the period were the spread of democratic institutions and nationalism. Most western European countries had formed a national identity and initiated democratic reforms before the eastern European countries. Most western European countries had formed a national identity and initiated democratic reforms before the eastern European countries.

Great Britain Politically, if not always socially, great Britain continued on the path of liberal democracy. Politically, if not always socially, great Britain continued on the path of liberal democracy. Britain still had its royalty, its lords and ladies, an established church and a people very respectful of law and tradition. Britain still had its royalty, its lords and ladies, an established church and a people very respectful of law and tradition. After 1884 virtually every male householder or renter in Great Britain could vote. After 1884 virtually every male householder or renter in Great Britain could vote.

Great Britain Restricted women suffrage came in 1918 and full suffrage in Restricted women suffrage came in 1918 and full suffrage in The House of Lords of most of its former power and made popularly elected House of Commons (elected parliament) supreme. The House of Lords of most of its former power and made popularly elected House of Commons (elected parliament) supreme.

Great Britain Yet until the end of the nineteenth century, both the Conservative and Liberal parties were controlled by the aristocracy and the wealthy bourgeoisie. Yet until the end of the nineteenth century, both the Conservative and Liberal parties were controlled by the aristocracy and the wealthy bourgeoisie. Between 1871 and 1914 Britain increased its imperial holdings and joined other nations in a dangerous… Between 1871 and 1914 Britain increased its imperial holdings and joined other nations in a dangerous…

Great Britain …international rivalry that combined nationalism and militarism. …international rivalry that combined nationalism and militarism. Many well-to-do British thought themselves to be so superior to the other peoples of Europe. Many well-to-do British thought themselves to be so superior to the other peoples of Europe.

Great Britain Great Britain’s commerce with its empire was enormous. Great Britain’s commerce with its empire was enormous. In 1914 Britain’s foreign investments, most of which were in the empire, totaled $20 billion one fourth of the total wealth of the home land. In 1914 Britain’s foreign investments, most of which were in the empire, totaled $20 billion one fourth of the total wealth of the home land. By comparison France had $9 billion invested abroad; Germany $6 billion. By comparison France had $9 billion invested abroad; Germany $6 billion.

Great Britain The United States was a debtor nation. The United States was a debtor nation. Britain’s richest imperials prize was India. Britain’s richest imperials prize was India. India’s more than 300 million inhabitants accounted for at least three-fourths of the total population of the whole empire. India’s more than 300 million inhabitants accounted for at least three-fourths of the total population of the whole empire.

Great Britain It was mother country’s best customer and supplied many minerals and raw materials. It was mother country’s best customer and supplied many minerals and raw materials.

France Democratic government did not work so smoothly in France as in Great Britain. Democratic government did not work so smoothly in France as in Great Britain. The tradition of extreme individualism, the animosity between clericalist and anticlericalist, the sharp cleavage between radical urban Paris and conservative rural France… The tradition of extreme individualism, the animosity between clericalist and anticlericalist, the sharp cleavage between radical urban Paris and conservative rural France…

France All contributed to the formation of a multiplicity of political parties. All contributed to the formation of a multiplicity of political parties. During the forty-three years from 1871 to 1914, no fewer than fifty-one ministries attempted to govern France. During the forty-three years from 1871 to 1914, no fewer than fifty-one ministries attempted to govern France. As the twentieth century opened, democratic government in France appeared to be firmly established… As the twentieth century opened, democratic government in France appeared to be firmly established…

France and increasingly responsive to the will of the masses. and increasingly responsive to the will of the masses. Factory laws were giving the workers increased protection, a limited program of unemployment, old age, accident and sickness insurance was inaugurated. Factory laws were giving the workers increased protection, a limited program of unemployment, old age, accident and sickness insurance was inaugurated.

Italy End of nineteenth century although Italy has a liberal government, yet the right to vote was limited to the middle and upper classes, who constituted a small minority of the nation’s population. End of nineteenth century although Italy has a liberal government, yet the right to vote was limited to the middle and upper classes, who constituted a small minority of the nation’s population. Italian government became involved in the shifting international alliances… Italian government became involved in the shifting international alliances…

Italy of the period and the nationalistic race for colonial possessions. of the period and the nationalistic race for colonial possessions. Economic and social reforms to benefit the working classes were enacted under the government of 20 th Century and in 1911 universal male suffrage was enacted. Economic and social reforms to benefit the working classes were enacted under the government of 20 th Century and in 1911 universal male suffrage was enacted.

Other Countries in Europe Belgium adopted universal male suffrage in Belgium adopted universal male suffrage in Here the weighted vote was established, men of wealth and education getting two or three additional votes. Here the weighted vote was established, men of wealth and education getting two or three additional votes. The Dutch Netherlands extended the suffrage in 1887 and again in 1896; The Dutch Netherlands extended the suffrage in 1887 and again in 1896;

Other Countries in Europe In 1917 all adult men and women were given the right to vote. In 1917 all adult men and women were given the right to vote. Norway adopted universal male suffrage in 1898, Sweden 1909 and Denmark Norway adopted universal male suffrage in 1898, Sweden 1909 and Denmark In 1913 Norway became first European country to grant the vote to women. In 1913 Norway became first European country to grant the vote to women.

Conclusion The Western world’s technology, its dynamic capitalism and above all its aggressive nationalism had enabled it between 1871 and 1914 to subject most of the rest of the world to its domination. The Western world’s technology, its dynamic capitalism and above all its aggressive nationalism had enabled it between 1871 and 1914 to subject most of the rest of the world to its domination. In the process of that western countries exploited the natural and … In the process of that western countries exploited the natural and …

Conclusion human resources also undermined the cultures, societies and political organizations of native lands and it was so destructive. human resources also undermined the cultures, societies and political organizations of native lands and it was so destructive. In 1914 most people in the Western world had come to view imperialism as a normal and permanent state. In 1914 most people in the Western world had come to view imperialism as a normal and permanent state.