British society and the economic context: Richard Cobden

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Richard Cobden was much involved in politics. In Great Britain, after Napoleonic wars, Corn Laws were passed. In Cobden's opinion the policy implemented in these famous bills needed reasoning. Indeed, Frédéric Bastiat's close friend devoted his entire life to free trade and pacifism. Firstly, I will focus on describing the British society and the economic context. Then I will present Richard Cobden and the Anti-Corn Laws League.

Extraits

[...] They lived wretchedly and rented the soil from landowners. Other social groups were workers and small shopkeepers (small traders). Parliament was divided between the Tories and the Whigs. But the Conservative hegemony and supremacy were not disputed. Aristocracy was reigning. The Corn Law The bill in question was passed in 1815 and related to all cereal and grains. Before Bonaparte's continental blockade, the importing of cereals was relatively free thanks to low customs duties. Following of the blockade, British producers effectively gained an internal monopoly. [...]

[...] The outbreak of the American Civil War upset Cobden who was a great admirer of American democracy. Cobden feared that the British government might intervene on the side of the Confederacy. Cobden was indeed a passionate supporter of Abraham Lincoln but he did not live to see the Union victory. He died of an acute attack of bronchitis. The Anti-corn Law League In 1836, the Anti-Corn Law Association was created in London. But its influence and success were very limited. In 1838, in Manchester, the association changed its name and became the Anti-Corn Law League. [...]

[...] They were in the red. A law stabilized corn price and banned certain of corn imports. But inflation took hold once more and large numbers of workers sank into destitution, which sent consumption plummeting. As a result, unemployment soared. As a consequence of inadequate policy, the British economy had become trapped in a vicious circle. Even when faced with an economic disaster of such magnitude, the aristocracy had no desire to opt for a different policy. The economic situation, and especially inflation, was indeed beneficial to them: there were more farmers than plots, soils the dividends of rents were flourishing. [...]

[...] In 1841 General Election the leader of the Anti-Corn Law League, Richard Cobden became the MP for Stockport. Although Cobden continued to tour the country making speeches against the Corn Laws, he was now in a position to constantly remind the British government that reform was needed. Cobden was now able to organize a national campaign in favour of reform. Cobden recruited a number of talented speakers to the movement. The economic depression of 1840-1842 increased membership of the Anti- Corn Law League and Richard Cobden and John Bright spoke to very large audiences all over the country. [...]

[...] First of all I will focus on describing the British society and the economic context. Then I will present Richard Cobden and the Anti-Corn Laws League. The context Political and social context In 1838, British society was made up of five social classes: The old aristocracy owned almost all the real estate of Great- Britain and enjoyed a plethora of significant fiscal privileges. The high aristocracy was the vastly predominant social force behind the party in power. The rest of the aristocracy was not wealthy. [...]