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Introduction
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, Europe entered a new era that led to the emergence of revolutionary concepts and philosophies. This period, famously known as Enlightenment, would trigger numerous changes that transformed the nature of the recorded social classes. While the emerging ideas succeeded in transforming society, the subsequent revolutions would create enabling environments for additional inequalities and challenges. This paper examines some of these issues using different societies and describes how globalization has helped empower more people at the international level.
The Enlightenment, Revolutions, Globalization, and Social Inequalities
The Age of Enlightenment was a period characterized by philosophical and intellectual movements that transformed the nature of life on the continent. Soon it would spread to other parts of the world to influence social relations, goals, and initiatives. Some of the emerging issues included the desire to pursue advanced concepts and ideas, such as toleration, separation of the state from religion, liberty, and progression (Reilly 2018). This development would set the stage for new revolutions in the fields of sociology and science. The concepts and issues associated with Enlightenment would culminate in the French revolution, a societal upheaval that would help redefine governance and personal freedom forever.
One of the recurring themes from the Enlightenment and the subsequent revolutions was the idea of equality. Before the French Revolution, there existed sharp divisions in society that affected most of the people, thus making it impossible for them to achieve their goals. For instance, economic differences and stratification existed in most of the European nations. Such social statuses were formed and accepted immediately after birth (Reilly 2018). The people were divided into these three social classes: the clergy, the common people, and the nobility (Reilly 2018). The nobles had the primary role of ruling and dictating the affairs of the common. Some groups among the ruled had some specific privileges that could be achieved depending on their statuses in their respective societies. Some citizens among the commoners were required to bargain with the leaders to achieve certain privileges.
In the European setting, social differences were promoted or existed in accordance with the region’s laws. The commoners were compelled to fight or liaise with those in the nobility class to ask for favors. A person’s birth was the key determinant of any individual’s economic and social position. The existed differences gained the support of traditionalists since they believed that such a social structure was capable of promoting societal goals (Reilly 2018). Unfortunately, the recorded social dynamics and differences would set the stage for revolutions after most of the people became aware of their goals, ideas, and possible changes they could implement in their respective lives.
The existing social inequalities that arose from the promoted three orders in different parts of Europe led to numerous challenges. One of the notable types of inequality included economic differences. Specifically, some of the individuals belonging to the commoners were unable to put food on the table. Economic activities and goals would be divided in accordance with these societal orders. Additionally, European society was observed to have defined roles for women and those for men. Such responsibilities would be promoted and encouraged in different societies based on social standings (Reilly 2018). The emergence of numerous ideologies throughout the Enlightenment era would present numerous efforts and ideas that would encourage more people to start examining inequality from a different perspective.
Some people were compelled to work as peasants and meet the demands of the nobles. This scenario resulted in the embellishment of different societal ranks that dictated people’s goals and expectations. The education system would also be characterized by unique differences and gaps since children of the elites had access to the best instructors. Additionally, racial inequalities would emerge since most of the people were keen to focus on their religious beliefs while sidelining individuals who were not predominantly Christians (Reilly 2018). All these forces of inequalities made it impossible for the less fortunate to record positive goals or social mobilities.
Because of these social inequalities, most people were unhappy with their experiences and life outcomes. Fortunately, the notions and ideas emerging from the Enlightenment encouraged more people to be part of the process and consider new ways of utilizing the emerging knowledge. The new ideas and concepts encouraged the people to focus on a better society and get rid of the class systems that treated some people positively and others negatively depending on their birthplaces (Reilly 2018). The challenges would trigger additional changes and social transformation that would help change the world forever.
The Enlightenment era triggered a number of political and economic revolutions in Europe. Such developments would transform the manner in which individuals would inherit social statuses and pursue their goals. They would also get rid of social classes and overthrow the nobles from their positions of power. In the British and Italian societies, more people would be empowered to engage in new forms of art and economic activities. Such individuals would also be more involved in political processes and affairs than ever before (Reilly 2018). The recorded revolutions set the stage for new political and economic systems that would guide the continent throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
However, the dethronement of traditional kings and elites did very little to address the problematic question of inequality. Following the success of the revolutions, the peasants were able to transform their social and economic experiences. Consequently, inequalities arising from social positions and inheritance patterns would decline significantly. However, the outcomes recorded in different countries, such as France, would help redefine nature and human capital. From the process, it was evident that those in positions of power would amass resources and start to control all factors of economic production (Reilly 2018). The elites or those in leadership began to consider some f the best approaches to benefit from the recorded human capital. The people would soon realize that the recorded revolutions would not transform the lives and experiences of the less fortunate and the poor. Those who were leading better lives would lack the opportunities and be unable to pursue their social and economic goals more effectively.
While some peasants benefited, the new era would give birth to capitalism and reshape the nature and processes of economic production. Different societies would focus on emerging thoughts and concepts to transform their economic activities and goals. For instance, the poor would be empowered to engage in personal activities that would transform their experiences. Additionally, those who had access to national resources would eventually engage in activities that would help put food on the table (Reilly 2018). However, the long-term outcome was that the peasantry system continued to exist since those who become leaders focused on new ways of controlling most of the factors of production.
Several changes would also emerge in the manner in which society pursued its social and economic goals. Specifically, the recorded revolutions led to new opportunities whereby most of the people were able to access basic education and find some resources. However, the leaders of the time failed to implement proper mechanisms to address social differences and meet the demands of the greatest number of people (Reilly 2018). The emerging trends would transform the recorded inequalities ad present additional challenges that would change society in different ways. Most people would be compelled to appreciate and live in a new social order characterized by different forms of inequality.
The emerging political systems and economic models create new changes whereby most of the citizens were able to seek leadership positions. The British society was able to improve its overnice models while at the same time introducing legal mechanisms. For France, new economic practices and manufacturing processes emerged to meet the demands of the economy. These developments would encourage most people to seek education and consider better ways to transform their lives (Reilly 2018). Unfortunately, the recorded trends and developments within economic and political fields created new opportunities for different forms of social inequality. The new problems will affect the future experiences of more people and those of their descendants.
While the short-term gains recorded from Enlightenment and the subsequent revolutions addressed the inequalities arising from the promoted social order, the new political and economic changes would set the stage for a new form of economic inequality. For instance, the emerging economic models would create a scenario whereby some people were able to access high-quality education (Reilly 2018). This trend would mean that the nature and level of educational attainment in the country remained disproportionate. This reality would set the stage for a new form of inequality that would continue to cast its shadow for many years to come. Those who lacked education were unable to get new opportunities in different sectors of the economy.
The new economic and social changes would result in a scenario whereby men were able to complete various roles in farms and emerging factories. Most of the societies in Europe and North America would only allow women to complete household chores and meet the demands of their family members. Such a trend would create new dynamics whereby gender disparity would become the norm in most societies across the globe (Reilly 2018). Within a period of eight decades, most of the people in these new societies would find themselves in different social and economic positions. Some would benefit by inheriting the wealth and resources accrued by their parents. The level or gap in status inheritance would start to emerge whereby individuals would begin to occupy their unique positions in society.
While the traditional forms of inequality that existed during the Enlightenment diminished, more people would realize that inequality had changed its meaning whereby the elites would control most of the resources and dictate the lives and experiences of the other members of the society. In American society, men would be equipped with voting rights while leaving women behind. Such trends will create additional situations for taking the problem of gender inequality to the next level (Reilly 2018). The promotion of capitalism would compel most countries in different parts of the world to create working classes and elites. Emerging political traditions would also set the stage for new practices and trends that would affect the experiences and outcomes of most of the citizens.
In the American setting, the histories of slavery and immigration would result in the establishment of dynamic societies characterized by many groups. The existing economic and political systems would help the people position themselves according to skin color, wealth, and availability of resources (Reilly 2018). The end result would be the emergence of racial disparity that continues to affect the economic experiences and outcomes to this present day. These aspects show conclusively that the recorded political and economic revolutions only led to more inequalities.
The wave of globalization has helped redefine economic and political practices across the globe. Fortunately, the process has made it possible for people to borrow the best initiatives and identify new opportunities to transform their lives. The Internet and social media are empowering more people to share information, promote new political discourses, and engage in activities that can result in social and economic progress (Reilly 2018). Within the past three decades defined by globalization, more people are now able to record positive economic gains, minimize cases of inequalities, find new job opportunities, and minimize historical differences in income levels.
Conclusion
Inequality remains a common theme in almost all societies across the globe. The Enlightenment era would present new opportunities for getting rid of the recorded social inequalities. The subsequent revolutions would transform factors of production and political patterns, thereby setting the stage for new inequalities based on skin color or race, education, gender, and social class. The good news is that globalization has emerged as a powerful force that is helping address these differences while taking more people in different parts of the world closer to their goals.
Bibliography
Reilly, Kevin. 2018. The Human Journey: A Concise Introduction to World History: 1450 to the Present. 2nd ed. New York: Rowman & Littlefield.
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