paradisedaa.blogg.se - Book how the scots invented the modern world

And it was due almost entirely to the effect of overseas trade, By 1755 the value of Scottish exports had more than doubled. By the 1730s the Scottish economy had turned the corner. Glasgow, the first hub of Scotland’s transatlantic trade, would soon be joined by Ayr, Greenock, Paisley, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh. Scottish merchants and capitalists, like their American counterparts, recognized the advantages of a laissez-faire private sector far earlier than did the English or other Europeans. Over the next century, Scots would learn to rely on their own resources and ingenuity far more than their southern neighbors would. Scots ended up with the best of both worlds: peace and order from a strong administrative state, but freedom to develop and innovate without undue interference from those who controlled it. On the contrary, they had learned to see the benefits of strong state power and to see how too little of it, as before the Union, could hold back social and economic change. One result was that in the eighteenth century, enlightened Scots never worried about too much government. Important Quotes from Bookīy the Act of Union, Scotland found itself yoked to this powerful engine for change, which expanded men’s opportunities at the same time as it protected what they held dear: life, liberty, and property.

In this case, Lowland Scots copied the English.

The Scots also made key contributions to the military, economic and administrative success of the British Empire.ġ8 th Century Scotland is yet another example of how a nation can transform itself within a few generations by copying wealthier nations rather than resenting them.

The willingness of the Scots to copy the best of the English while not being held back by their traditions was a key to their success.

Adam Smith, David Hume, James Hutton, Adam Ferguson, Frances Hutchinson, James Mill and James Watt were some of the greatest thinkers of their era.

Edinburgh transformed from a sleepy regional capital to a city that rivaled London, Paris and Amsterdam in importance.

By 1780 Scotland was on the cutting edge of trade, economic growth, culture, education, social sciences and philosophy.

In 1700 Scotland was one of most backward of European regions.

Scotland benefitted enormously from the Act of Union with England.

Herman overviews the incredible intellectual achievements of 18 th Century Scotland, particularly Edinburgh. If you enjoy this summary, please support the author by buying the book. Title: How the Scots Invented the Modern World