19th century ideologies

With the strengthening of industry during the 19th century, a new social class emerges: the industrial working class or proletariat. Industrial expansion attracted thousands of rural workers to cities in search of jobs and a better life. However, this exodus to large urban centers caused a series of social transformations. In addition to the swelling of cities that were not structurally prepared to receive this large number of new residents, the terrible conditions of life and work of workers would influence the emergence of associations, unions and political parties willing to fight for their rights.

The rapid industrial expansion generated the need for a large number of workers, however the disqualification of these workers made them receive terrible wages and were trapped in the exhausting pace imposed by the bosses. In this tense environment, three important currents of thought developed: the Liberalism, O Socialism and the Anarchism.

Liberalism

This ideology originated from the thoughts of Enlightenment philosophers John Locke, Montesquieu and Adam Smith. Political liberalism defended the division of powers, the right to life, the maintenance of private property and freedom of expression. Economic liberalism opposed state intervention in the economy, defended free trade and encouraged free competition. For the defenders of this ideology, the State should not interfere in the relations between employers and employees.

Socialism

Socialists advocated a rigid change in social relations in order to end the inequalities promoted by the class struggle. Unlike the liberals, the defenders of this ideology aimed to end poverty and the exploitation of proletarian labor. This current is divided into Utopian Socialism and Scientific Socialism.

Utopian Socialism

The creators of this ideology were the thinkers Charles Fourrier and Robert Owen. They were called utopian socialists because they believed it possible to install socialism through peaceful means. For them, social inequalities could be overcome if there was cooperation between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. The two harshly criticized bourgeois individualism, for them the ideal society would be one formed by communities where each individual would work on what gives him the most pleasure, the income generated by his work should be distributed according to the needs of each one. This working relationship was called phalansteries, and according to its creators, the success of the enterprise would be in its multiplication for all the regions of the country until it became totally socialist.

They defended competition and defended cooperation as a means to achieve social equality. They preached better working conditions in factories and better wages.

Scientific Socialism

Karl Marx and Friederich Engels, German philosophers were the advocates of this ideology known as scientific socialism. For them, overcoming class conflicts could only be overcome through an intense investigation of society and its problems. They relied on studies in Philosophy, History, Sociology and Economics, invested in observing the living conditions of the working class in order to seek solutions to their dilemmas. In 1848, they published the Communist Manifesto.

For both philosophers, social contradictions could only be overcome through a social revolution. This revolution should be led by the workers, the revolutionary phase completed, power should be assumed by them initiating a dictatorship of the proletariat, which was to remain until the extinction of all inequalities social. With the end of social differences, socialism would gradually give way to communism, in which a classless society would prevail, since they are the ones that promote exploitation.

The book titled Capital is one of Marx's most famous works, in which he harshly criticizes the capitalist system. In this work he speaks of added value, which would be the wealth produced by the worker and appropriated by the boss.

Anarchism

Similar to the socialists, the anarchists condemned the existence of social classes, the exploitation of workers' work and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a minority. They argued that in a more egalitarian society, citizens could live happily and develop their potential.

Unlike socialists who proposed the existence of a state led by workers, anarchists advocated the total destruction of the state. They were against any kind of government, originally the word anarchy meant absence of power. Anarchist ideals were intensely spread across Europe, especially in times of crisis. This ideology arrived in Brazil along with European immigrants at the end of the 19th century. It directly influenced the formation of labor movements in the country in the early years of the 20th century.

Lorena Castro Alves
Graduated in History and Pedagogy