Scotland, Union, and the French Revolution : an intellectual history of the debates concerning social order and commercial society in Scotland, with a final chapter concerning Ireland, c. 1771–1805
Intellectual history explores the debates on social order and commerce in Scotland and its implications for Ireland, revealing a complex interplay of ideas.
Key Points
The research aims to explore the debates among Scottish authors regarding social order and commercial society after the Union of 1707, focusing on key intellectual figures.
Analysis of writings from Scottish Enlightenment thinkers John Millar, Dugald Stewart, and James Mackintosh.
Examination of the impact of the French Revolution on Scottish perspectives toward social and political reform.
Contextual exploration of Jacobitism and its relation to evolving commerce in Scotland.
Scottish authors presented divergent views on the effects of commercial society, from fears of civil collapse to hopes for enhanced civility.
The influence of the French Revolution intensified discussions on the future of social order and political reform in Scotland.
The thesis highlights the potential social trajectory for Ireland based on Scottish models of commerce and societal change.