Letters on England and the Early Enlightenment

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The transformation of European societies has attracted the attention of many historians and sociologists. This issue was particularly important for the thinkers of the Early Environment because they wanted to identify the factors that could contribute to social change. This paper is aimed at discussing Voltaire’s collection of essays called Letters on England.

This book is important because it is a valuable primary source on the history of Western civilization. In particular, it shows how different aspects of politics, science, education, and economy contributed to the development of a middle-class society that could make the government accountable to people.

Additionally, Voltaire described the citizens who could resist the encroachment on their rights. One can argue that Voltaire was able to identify some of the trends that later influenced the development of many countries. The ideas of the author are important for understanding various complexities of the modern world.

There are several things that are very important for Voltaire. In particular, he pays attention to science and education in England at the beginning of the eighteenth century. This author speaks in great detail about the works of Isaac Newton and John Locke. Certainly, they represent different fields of study.

Newton is renowned for his incredible achievements in mathematics and physics, while John Locke can be credited for his contributions to political science. Voltaire accepts that the work of these people differed in many ways, but they changed contemporary science.

In particular, they showed that it should be based on rationality, verified evidence, empirical methods, and logical reasoning. This is how Voltaire describes the work of John Locke, “Instead of concluding at once what we know not, he examines gradually what we would know” (Voltaire 63). This tentative and critical manner of discovering truth lies at the core of modern science as well as political debate.

This issue is of great interest to Voltaire because the strategies developed by Locke and Newton shaped the work of educational institutions, especially colleges and universities of that period. The thinkers showed that the rhetoric of scholars should be based on reasoning, rather than superstition, stereotypes or blind convictions.

Moreover, this view on education changed political discourse in England, because people were more willing to discuss contested issues and examine different arguments instead of using violence or coercion.

This trend identified by Voltaire is important for the existence of middle-class societies that tolerate the diversity of opinions. Such communities are more likely to oppose the authoritarian governments or the intrusion of church into the private life. So, in his book, Voltaire was able to see how science and education could change European societies.

There are other issues that attract Voltaire’s attention; in particular one can speak about politics and economy. One of the arguments that the author makes is that the government differs dramatically from other states existing in Europe. For instance, he says, “The government of this country is stormier than the seas that surround it” (Voltaire 46).

This statement excellently describes democracy because it has to reconcile different argument, opinions, values, and interest. This is why this political system can be called stormy or tempestuous. One should take into consideration that Voltaire compared the English political life to that one of the Ancient Rome.

Surely, nowadays, democratic rule is viewed as a norm, but at the time, when Voltaire wrote his book, this form of government was an exception. However, this book demonstrates that this system can be rather efficient, especially in comparison with monarchy.

It is also important to speak about the economic life of England. This aspect was of great interest to Voltaire because it was important for the transformation of European societies. The author notes that England became the major naval power in the world, and it could achieve greater degree of prosperity though trade with other countries (Voltaire 51).

This means that many people could improve their welfare, even though they did not belong to the nobility. More importantly, these citizens tried to design a political system that respected a person’s right to property. For example, they emphasized the omnipotence of law that should be equally applicable to every individual. This is why commercial activities are so closely discussed in Voltaire’s book.

Economic development could be the main driver of political change in Europe, and Voltaire could see this possibility. Therefore, politics and economy should be viewed as interrelated fields. At that time, very few thinkers could recognize the importance of trade or commerce for bringing social change.

Overall, Voltaire’s book is important understanding different aspects of the Early Environment. The author identifies the factors that contributed to the transformation of the English society. Special attention should be paid to economic development, scientific revolution, education, and political debate.

They turned England into a society in which middle-class population is powerful enough to make the state responsible for its policies. Furthermore, Voltaire’s book shows that in the eighteenth century, the English people could resist the power of the state. Finally this work is worth reading because it shows how societies can evolve.

Works Cited

Voltaire. Letters on England. Trans. Leonard Tancock. London: Penguin Classics, 1980. Print.

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Letters on England and the Early Enlightenment

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