2. Luddites, Chartists and Classical Conservatism

5. Reaction by Liberals Welfare capitalismWelfare stateKeynesian economics Opposition to liberalism LudditesChartistsSocialistsClassical Conservatism Classical Liberalism theorypractice Overview

6.  Dominant political theory in the 19 the century.  Strong belief in individual liberty, private property and freedom from government interference.  Favor parliamentary government.  People can pursue their own self-interest.  Society is a collection of individuals.  The right to vote should be limited to property owners and those who could read during Industrial Revolution.  Strong supporter of Capitalism.

7. Government should allow capitalism and its free market economy so people can pursue their own interests and individual happiness. Support industrialism and technological change. All lead to liberty and freedom. Oppose Socialism and Communism

8. The Luddites, a band of nineteenth century English handicraftsmen, rioted in protest to the textile machinery that had taken them out of business. Luddites destroyed thousands of pieces of machinery until they finally met their demise around 1817 when the government was able to control Luddites riots. During the Industrial Revolution, the laws and customs which had been installed to protect the working class of England were ignored and eventually abandoned. For example, the Minimum Wage Bill of 1808 decreased minimum wage and the Combination Acts, banned trade unions. These were just some of the many sparks which drove the Luddites to rebellion.

9.  Working-class in Britain that focused on political and social reform. They called for:  Ironically, while the chartists were a persecuted group, most of their demands were eventually implemented in the Reform Acts of 1867 and 1884 - Universal suffrage for all men over 21 - Equal-sized electoral districts - Voting by secret ballot - An end to the need for property qualifications for Parliament - Pay for Members of Parliament - Annual elections

10.  The right to vote was deemed essential to change; working class individuals were denied this right

11. TO CONSIDER: Read section on pg. 132-133 - What main principle liberalism were the Chartists fighting to have recognized? - What groups opposed change to the system? Why? TO CONSIDER: Read section on pg. 132-133 - What main principle liberalism were the Chartists fighting to have recognized? - What groups opposed change to the system? Why?

12.  Father of Conservatism: Edmund Burke ( 1729 -1797 )  Famous Book: Reflections of the Revolution of France (1790): criticized the French Revolution  Revolution was not democratic - chaotic, violent and murderous.  Saw revolutionaries as radical and disrespectful of tradition institutions, such as Church and state and ignored their own constitution.  Foresaw the implications of the revolution (i.e., execution of Louis XVI, Reign of Terror and Napoleon’s regime.)

13.  A reaction to classical liberalism  Wanted to revert back to the way things were before  Edmund Burke and classical conservatives beliefs: ◦ Society should be hierarchical (people are not equal— some people suited for leadership) ◦ Limited electorate to choose government ◦ Care for the welfare of others ◦ Stability of society is paramount—achieved through law and order and the maintenance of the customs and traditions that bind society together.