Ideologies: Liberalism, Nationalism, Labor Movements & Anarchism

Posted on Feb 27, 2025 in History

Bourgeois Ideologies

Liberalism

Liberalism is a 19th-century bourgeois ideology defending individual freedom. It advocates for:

  • A written constitution.
  • Separation of powers:
    • Judicial: Composed of independent judges.
    • Executive: Comprising the head of state (King) and the head of government (Prime Minister).
    • Legislative: Formed by legislatures.
  • Political pluralism, with multiple political parties.
  • Restricted/census-based male suffrage.
  • Popular sovereignty.
  • Rights and duties of citizens.

Democracy

Democracy is the evolution of liberalism in the 19th century, characterized by universal suffrage for men and women. The executive power is held by the head of state (President of the Republic) and the head of government (President/Prime Minister).

Nationalism

Nationalism is a 19th-century bourgeois ideology of German origin, defending the feeling of belonging to a historical community that shares language, religion, culture, history, and traditions, and the right to become an independent state. There are two types:

  • Disintegrating: Defending the separation from a state with which it does not identify.
  • Integrating: Seeking the union of nations that have been separated into different states.

RLB.1820

These movements are against the Restoration and driven by liberalism and nationalism. Military actions and resignations occur. These movements are initiated clandestinely in Spain, such as the pronouncement of Riego. Between 1820 and 1823, a liberal triennium occurs. In 1823, the Holy Alliance sent an army to Spain to help Ferdinand defeat the Spanish Liberals.

  • Portugal, influenced by the pronouncement of Riego, began in 1821 and ended in 1823, failing.
  • Naples, Piedmont-Sardinia, and Russia.

Ideologies and Labor Movements

Unionism

Unionism refers to associations of workers seeking to improve their situations in the UK. Labor movements arise:

  • Machinery: Occurred in the UK in the decades of 1810, 1820, and 1830. They opposed machines. In the 1830s, it extended to the continent but failed because capitalism was seen as the main culprit.
  • Trades Unions (1824): Unions based on trade. The main aim is to get labor rights from owners, and security funds are created. In 1834, Great Trades Unions arise, acting in two forms: peaceful and violent, through strikes.
  • Chartism (1838-1848): A document calling for the introduction of universal male suffrage was developed among the people.

Anarchism

Anarchism advocates for the absolute freedom of the individual. Anarchists are atheists and fight any organization with power: the state, the army, and the church. Their ideal organization is the commune, where there are no laws or private property, and which can be joined or separated from associations they create. They only create unions and never participate in elections. They are divided into two groups: anarchist collectivists, who share property, and anarcho-communists, who do not share property. The two most important representatives are Prince Krokotkin.

Socialism

  • Utopian Socialism (19th century): Proposes ideal solutions to the problems of the proletariat.
  • Marxist/Scientific Socialism (19th century): In the first half of 1848, Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto, and in 1867, Das Kapital. It is called scientific because it attempts to explain historical evolution. It studies the dialectical relations of social and economic history. There is a class struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and there is a dictatorship of the proletariat, which leads to a classless society.

AIT (International Labor Organization)

Founded in the second half of the 19th century. Representatives of anarchists and Marxists participate. Marxists advocate for international workers’ associations. Clashes of character occur, and Marx expels the anarchists. In 1870, the Parisian Commune, a workers’ government, is tested, and workers create a government and workshops. As a result, all worker movements are declared illegal. In 1876, the motion fails, and the organization dissolves. The Second International is created, in which the Marxists are divided into anarchists, socialists, and communists.