HISTÓRIA GERAL #10 ABSOLUTISMO E MERCANTILISMO

Welcome and Introduction

In this section, the speaker introduces the video as the third lesson in a series preparing students for the ENEM exam. The focus is on history related to human centers.

Overview of Topics Covered

• The speaker mentions social media platforms like Twitter for further engagement with their work.

• Today's topics include discussions on absolutism monarchical and its significance.

• Absolutist monarchs hold absolute power within their territories, forming national states through alliances with nobility.

• These modern national states are governed by monarchs who have significant control over governance and finances, often conflicting with the bourgeoisie.

Discussion on Nicolau Maquiavel

This part delves into Nicolau Maquiavel's political theories and his renowned work "O Príncipe."

Insights into Nicolau Maquiavel

• Nicolau Maquiavel, a political scientist from Florence, Italy, emphasizes the importance of a ruler's behavior towards subjects.

• He highlights that a ruler must prioritize political efficacy over ethical considerations, causing controversy due to conflicting with Christian morals.

• Maquiavel suggests that rulers should balance qualities of cunningness and strength to govern effectively.

• His concept of virtue in rulership focuses on qualities like intelligence rather than monetary wealth.

Key Principles of Rulership by Maquiavel

This segment explores essential principles advocated by Maquiavel for effective governance.

Principles of Effective Governance

• Rulers should exhibit astuteness akin to a fox and strength like a lion to command respect and fear among subjects.

• Virtue in rulership refers to inherent qualities necessary for governance rather than material wealth or fortune.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of caution and control to avoid negative consequences such as inciting revolution. The reference to Machiavelli's teachings on behavior and resolution is highlighted.

Machiavelli's Teachings

• Caution against becoming like the devil to prevent anger and hatred leading to a people's revolution.

• Reference to Machiavelli's manual on behavior and resolution, emphasizing its historical significance in teaching how rulers should behave.

New Section

This part delves into the concept of governance before the formation of states, highlighting a state of nature characterized by war and lawlessness. The role of fear in justifying government authority is explored.

Governance and State of Nature

• Discussion on living in a state of nature prior to state formation, described as a wild, lawless condition where individuals act without restraint.

• Fear as a tool for justifying governance; individuals join together under a commonwealth for protection, transitioning from lawlessness to structured society.

New Section

The speaker elaborates on social contracts formed within populations transitioning from a state of nature to organized societies. The significance of these contracts in establishing rights and obligations is emphasized.

Social Contracts

• Formation of social contracts as agreements between rulers and the ruled within societies, ensuring rights and freedoms are recognized.

• Importance of social contracts in limiting individual actions post-state formation while granting citizens rights under sovereign rule for societal benefit.

New Section

This segment focuses on democratic principles within governance structures where representatives chosen by the people must govern responsibly. The balance between popular sovereignty and potential uprisings is discussed.

Democratic Governance

• Discussion on representative democracy where elected officials must govern based on popular choice, addressing potential revolts through responsible leadership.

• Illustration of Leviathan symbolizing absolute power held by rulers over their subjects, emphasizing both protection and potential tyranny towards citizens.

New Section

Here, the symbolism behind Leviathan representing sovereign power is explored further. The intricate relationship between rulers and their subjects forming societal structures is analyzed.

Symbolism of Leviathan

• Interpretation of Leviathan symbolizing ruler's immense power derived from collective support by subjects forming societal structure.

Understanding Mercantilism in Early Capitalism

In this section, the speaker delves into the concept of mercantilism as a precursor to capitalism, highlighting key characteristics and its relationship with state intervention.

Mercantilism as an Initial Phase of Capitalism

• Mercantilism represents the early phase of capitalism characterized by direct state intervention, driven by monarchs seeking to enrich themselves and build their national states.

• Contrary to liberal capitalism where minimal state interference is favored, mercantilism involves significant state involvement in economic affairs.

• The bourgeoisie participates in mercantilism for profit but faces challenges such as heavy taxation imposed by the state.

Key Characteristics of Mercantilism

• A favorable balance of trade is crucial in mercantilism, where nations aim to export more than import to accumulate wealth and capital.

• States strive for favorable trade balances by exporting more products than importing, a practice that continues today among nations.

Protectionist Measures and Taxation

• Excessive taxation on the bourgeoisie aims at capital accumulation by the monarchy, while protectionist tariffs on imports encourage domestic consumption over foreign goods.

• High taxes on imported goods incentivize domestic consumption and support local industries, mirroring modern protectionist policies.

Exploring Global Trade through Great Navigations

This segment focuses on the significance of global exploration during the Age of Discovery and its impact on trade dynamics.

Importance of Great Navigations

• The era of great navigations aimed at discovering new territories for economic gain and expanding trade routes beyond Europe.

• Portugal and Spain led maritime expeditions due to their strategic geographical locations conducive to exploring new lands like Brazil.

Economic Motivations Behind Exploration

• While exploration was fueled by curiosity about unknown lands, economic gains through trade were paramount in venturing into uncharted territories.

Process and Expansion of Mercantilism

The discussion delves into the historical context of mercantilism, focusing on the process and expansion of this economic system.

Process of Mercantilism

• Mercantilism in history aimed at seeking profits outside Europe through the exploitation of precious metals. Spain excelled in this pursuit by discovering precious metals in Central and South America.

• Portugal also engaged in the search for precious metals, eventually finding them in Brazil during the 18th century. This exploration was a significant part of the mercantilist approach.

Impact on Europe

• Spain's success in obtaining precious metals led to a rise in prices as it held a monopoly on these resources, impacting Europe's economy significantly.

• The influx of wealth from colonies to Europe increased living costs, creating a chain reaction within European economies due to the flow of goods and money.

Colonial Pact and Monopoly

This segment explores the concept of colonial pacts and monopolies within mercantilism.

Colonial Pact Explanation

• A colonial pact involves a conquered region becoming a colony that is exploited by the conquering nation or state known as the metropolis. This relationship is crucial within mercantilism.

Monopoly Significance

• Monopolies restricted colonies from trading with entities other than their ruling metropolis. This exclusivity allowed controlling nations like Spain to dictate trade terms, affecting various regions globally.

• The enforcement of monopolies often involved violence, ensuring that only the ruling metropolis could benefit from trade with colonies. This practice influenced economic dynamics significantly.

Commercial Monopoly Dynamics

Examining commercial monopolies' impact on trade relationships during historical periods.

Commercial Monopoly Concept

• Commercial monopolies dictated exclusive trading rights between colonies and ruling metropolises. This control over trade routes and resources shaped economic interactions profoundly.

• The enforcement of commercial monopolies led to fixed prices and limited options for traders, showcasing how dominant powers controlled commerce through restrictive practices.

Conclusion