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science of the 18th century

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new laws of

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economics

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social sciences

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it occurred to people that these sciences could be used to make societies more efficient than they had been

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instead of these pellmell, piled- upon, amalgamations of ad hoc rules and practices that juggernaut empires had invented and arrived at over the centuries

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by the time they were in competition with each other

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the empires were facing escalating costs with not always commensurate rising returns

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new laws of economics and social sciences

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one realized that science could be used to change empires

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science then comes full circle

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it's the product of empire, but also could be used to recast, to reform empire

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mercantilism reformed

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a system which created institutions, rules and practices which sought to ensure that more wealth flowed into European cities than flowed out

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the critical instrument that made sure this practice continued was the mercantile family and its sequel, the joint-stock company

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with escalating warfare, mercantilist empires had to find revenues to fund these efforts

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the East India Company

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the icon of this age of mercantilism

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a company that enjoyed, by definition, monopoly rights

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the idea of monopoly rights was the most important target of Adam Smith when he wrote the Wealth of Nations (1776)

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monopoly rights meant for large returns from abroad, e.g. in India, and flows of wealth back to Europe, but it was threatening to corrupt Europe at home

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these monopoly practices began to be seen in conflict with the Age of Reason

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Edmund Burke

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a voice in these debates

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made a career out of pointing out the corruptions and vices who were using public stations to benefit themselves privately

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supported the American Revolutionaries because he was against monopolies

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went after Warren Hastings

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the chief executive officer of the East India Company

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a man of reason, science, a man of this age

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brought by Clive into the East India Company as a young man

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rose up to succeed Clive

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became the first governor general in Bengal

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consolidated Clive's conquests in Bengal

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imagined himself the product of science, new scientific rules, made new laws, learned languages

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was going to apply these new social sciences

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"we as men of science have an obligation to apply these laws"

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compared natural laws and natural rights

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already forecasting that by enlightening Indians, British dominance would eventually fade

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"the Enlightenment can serve the Empire"

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Edward Burke vs. Warren Hastings

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East India Company was a Company-State which

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had armies

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collected taxes

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was impeached and led to the "Trial of Warren Hastings"

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gained wealth by using a state license

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seen at home as corrupting

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the way empire was being practiced through this companies was destroying the ethical fabric of society

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Burke ruled about company rule

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the Enlightenment could spread empire, and empire could spread the universal promise of the Enlightenment

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not just a British or French believe

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Portugal

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Marquis de Pombal