Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
European expansion and cultural relativism
A military encounter between a Dutch masted sailing ship and Spanish galleys, 1602.
European expansion and cultural relativism
A representation of a 16th century encounter betweenSpanish Conquistadors and native Americans.
European expansion and cultural relativism
• Michel de Montaigne 1533 – 1592
European expansion and cultural relativism
• Michel de Montaigne 1533 – 1592
• Essays ‘Of Cannibals’ and ‘Of Custom’ introduced Europeans to notion of cultural relativism
European expansion and cultural relativism
• Michel de Montaigne 1533 – 1592
• Essays ‘Of Cannibals’ and ‘Of Custom’ introduced Europeans to notion of cultural relativism
• “the laws of conscience, which we say are born of nature, are in effect, born on custom”
Adam Smith 1723-1790
• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth
Adam Smith 1723-1790
• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth
• Smith developed Locke’s view that governments should promote the happiness and fulfilment of their citizens
Adam Smith 1723-1790
• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth
• Smith developed Locke’s view that governments should promote the happiness and fulfilment of their citizens
• Founder of laissez-faire economics: let self-interest of consumers direct the expansion of the market
Adam Smith 1723-1790
• 18th century Britain the most advanced capitalist country on earth
• Smith developed Locke’s view that governments should promote the happiness and fulfilment of their citizens
• Founder of laissez-faire economics: let self-interest of consumers direct the expansion of the market
• Enlightenment faith in free markets still strong today despite poverty and inequality
Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755
• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy
Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755
• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy
• “Liberty does not consist in unlimited freedom; Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit”
Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755
• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy
• “Liberty does not consist in unlimited freedom; Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit”
• The executive, the legislative, and the judiciary should not be held by the same person or institution
Baron Montesquieu 1689–1755
• No single form of government can be applied in every case; e.g. regional conditions may not be right for democracy
• “Liberty does not consist in unlimited freedom; Liberty is a right of doing whatever the laws permit”
• The executive, the legislative, and the judiciary should not be held by the same person or institution
• Separated centres of power should check and balance each other: “Power should be a check to power”
• Influenced development of American constitution
