Jane Marcet Flashcards
What was the Reform Act?
1832 - Legislation passed in England as a means to facilitate the transition from feudalism. The Act integrated small districts to reduce the number of boroughs, increased representation for urban cities and extended the vote to all tax-paying men.
What were the Swing Riots?
1830 - A series of English revolts against technology following the mass displacement of agricultural workers during the rise of industrial capitalism. Workers were protesting decreasing wage rates and a rise in unemployment.
What was the significance of the industrial printing press?
During the Industrial Revolution (early 1800s), the technological innovation of the steam-powered printing press rapidly increased the production of texts. This coincided with increasing literacy rates in England; as such, political and philosophical ideas were more accessible to the working class.
Who were the utopian socialists?
In the early 19th century, a few powerful businessmen developed a new approach to alleviating the suffering of the poor. Saint Simon introduced the concept of a rewards-based economy in which men could improve their socioeconomic standing through hard work. Robert Owen proposed the ‘Village of Cooperation’, which laid the foundations for the first major trade union (Grand National, 1833).
What is Marcet’s view on the production of luxury goods?
The spending of the uppercases encourages cultivation and production by creating new employment opportunities (e.g. creating luxuries/food to meet the demand of the wealthy)
As the production of luxuries increases as is made more efficient, they will be made more accessible to the lower classes
Why did Marcet think would be the consequence of a universal rise in wages?
A universal rise in wages will drastically increase market demand as the conditions of the labourer improve – connect to the ideas of ‘natural price’ by Daniel Ricardo
However, with no increase in supply, increased demand will drive up prices to meet the new equilibrium
How was Marcet utilising the Classical Economists in her work?
Marcet based her political economist writings on the works of classical thinkers, such as Smith, Malthus, and Ricardo.
She used simplistic language and illustrative narratives to explain their more complex ideas to the working class’s growing literate population.
