Politics and Society Late 1800s - Early 1900s Economic Theories Part 1 Issues During This Time Period Social – How do we help the poor? Is it our job to help the poor? Science – Scientific theories emerge to explain why things are the way they are Women – demanding equal rights Political – decisions the government will make re: economic & social issues. Will they pass laws to help the poor? Or continue their laissez-faire approach? Economic – capitalism, communism, socialism. Which economic theory will best solve our social ills? Today We are going to review material on capitalism, communism, socialism from three different sources Get a text book, I will pass out two other sources Feel free to work in small groups/pairs Using the information from the book and packets create & fill out a chart that compares/contrasts each economic philosophy Focus on similarities/differences – is it easy to divide up the three? Capitalism Communism Socialism LIBERTY -progress, move up, American dream -laissez faire idea – do what you want (self-interest $$) helps us and the economy -Little govt intervention --adam smith = -EQUALITY -- classless society -- re-distribute wealth – people equal -- no private property -Rights? If we have quality we are giving up some rights. -- LIBERTY -Person can live own life without govt. intervention -- make more $ - taxed more -- MIX? -- Capitalism • Maximizes liberty • Adam Smith – 1776 – “The Wealth of Nations” • “Free Enterprise” – everyone is free to pursue any economic activity • Laissez-Faire – do not interfere in the economy • Freedom to succeed and freedom to fail • Private ownership of capital (means of production) Capitalism • Profit is the motivator, competition is the regulator (not government) • Under pure capitalism, almost all goods would be provided by the private sector (small government) – police, courts, military (even schools and the fire department could be private goods) • Do not tax the rich more than the poor – no redistribution of income • Good of the individual is above society • Bill Gates and Hobo Joe Communism • Maximizes Equality • Karl Marx – 1848 - “The Communist Manifesto” • Industrial Revolution – Europe – horrible working conditions - critique of capitalism • 1. View of History – class struggle (bourgeoisie and proletariat) • 2. Labor Theory of Value – all value comes from labor • 3. Nature of the State – the state (government) always sides with the rich • 4. Dictatorship of the Proletariat – poor must overthrow the government and set up a classless society Communism • Public (government) ownership of the means of production • “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” • Workers run the factories – everyone earns an equal amount • Lots of government intervention in the economy to promote equality • Good of society is above the individual • Bill Gates and Hobo Joe Socialism • Mix of Equality and Liberty • Between pure capitalism and pure communism • Some private ownership and some public ownership of property • Some government intervention in the economy • Redistribution of income – high taxes on the rich to provide lots of government services – Examples of government programs like this in the USA? Bill Gates and Hobo Joe? Charles Darwin – Social Darwinism Part 2 Charles Darwin 1809-1882 English Naturalist Studied nature, plants in environment Determined that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors One of the first to form a scientific argument for the theory of evolution Darwin = created important evolution theories, determined humans had evolved from lower, nonhuman species Evolution versus Creationism Creationism: the religious belief that humanity, life, the Universe are all the creation of a supernatural being (God) The biblical account of creation found in Genesis says that God created the universe, animals, plants and humans in six days Creationism: God created life on earth Turn & Talk How do you think Creationists will respond to Darwin’s theories on evolution? Why? Are these issues still debated/discussed today? Darwin December 1831-1836 aboard the H.M.S. Beagle Traveled through South America and some Pacific Islands collecting & classifying animal & plant life His discoveries led to his conclusions re: evolution Darwin’s discoveries in South Am. led him to believe in evolution and speak out about it Darwin & Natural Selection Darwin believed that there was a continual struggle for existence within nature The stronger, faster or fittest species has the advantage over the weaker, slower ones Those more fit to survive pass along the advantageous trait to offspring Darwin’s theory of natural selection (survival of the fittest) explains why some members of a species survive and reproduce while others perish Take away notes from last slide Natural selection: the stronger species have an advantage over the weaker, the stronger reproduce while the weaker die off Turn & Talk How do you think this theory of natural selection could have been used during the Industrial Revolution?? Who would the theory have helped? Hurt? Eugenics Gallery Women’s Rights Part 3 A right or a privilege? What’s the difference? Vocab Suffrage = right to vote Suffragette = members of women’s suffrage movement Universal suffrage = all citizens of a certain age have right to vote Women’s Suffrage in Great Britain Became a national movement in 1872 National Society for Women’s Suffrage (1867) National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (1897) Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) 1903 WSPU Founded in 1903 by Emmeline Pankhurst Militant group “Deeds not words” Broke off from non-militant suffrage group Women-only group WSPU’s flag Emmeline Pankhurst Emmeline Pankhurst Founded WSPU Displeased with other suffrage groups, not getting the job done Her daughters Christabel, Adela & Sylvia were also part of the group Named one of the most important people of the 20th century by Time “She shaped an idea of women for our time.” WSPU Not a political party (in fact, often worked against them) Aggressive & militant Members smashed windows and assaulted police officers Several members were imprisoned several times, hunger strikes, forced feeding WSPU Brought a lot of attention to suffrage movement Began to dissolve in 1917, largely over issues of WWI Support the men abroad? Keep fighting for women’s rights? Right to Vote In Great Britain 1918 – women over 30 who owned property could vote 1918 – all men could vote 1928 – all women over age 21 could vote In United States 1870 15th Amend. Cannot deny a citizen right to vote based on color 1920 19th Amendment Cannot deny a citizen right to vote based on sex More recently… 2005 Kuwait – women who meet age & citizenship requirements can vote. Separate polling locations for men & women. Saudi Arabia – announced that women will be permitted to vote beginning in 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGL3Q 0wF_oc Pankhurst Speech January 1912