The Bourgeois society sprouted from the ruins of feudal society, which comprised class antagonisms. From the serfs in the Renaissance there came the chartered burghers of the earliest towns, which gave rise to the first elements of the bourgeois. The Bourgeois played a significant role as a driver of change, which transformed society in the Renaissance. Rulers established it in order to challenge feudal lord’s authority that rebelled against them. In order to motivate middle class, the rulers gave them charters to trade in foreign countries and take the responsibility of the administration cities established.
Gradually, the rising bourgeois became predominant in the cities and managed to change the prevalent feudal culture by establishing their own culture and social setup based on the era. For the middle class, work and time were the most significant values. This is so because time was regarded as precious while work was regulated depending on the time. There was no work, which was degrading, and working people earned respect in society. The middle class was focused on promoting education. Therefore, professional class, such as artists, lawyers and scholars among others emerged. These were Renaissance men who have vast intellectual interests and accomplished in the field such as arts and sciences (Kocka, 1999). Therefore, the middle class played an important role in the success of the Renaissance. For instance, the emerging merchant class and the Medici family who were very influential ruled the city of Florence.
The artists, sculptors and architects embellished the cities with decoration and statues of palaces and churches. They also built new buildings with remarkable decorations. The work of artists and sculptors such as Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch among others brought dramatic changes in Italy. The new individualism brought a significant impact on the economic, social and political structure in the Renaissance. This is so because the middle class together with masses managed to overthrow the old regime. For instance, the English parliament was forced to pass the Great Reform Act, which transformed the British electoral system (Perry, 2013). Similarly, the congress party was formed which comprised of the Indian middle class. The Renaissance men played a significant role in transforming the social, economic and political in the Renaissance. This is so because the education produced professionals who were needed by new administrative institutions.
The new individualism was associated with the army and bureaucracy, which played a significant role in the social and political change. For instance, the immigrants in this era had no roots in the local culture and traditions, therefore failed to contribute in any change. However, there were some parts where the new individualism could not transform societies because they were under the influence of tribal leaders and property owners who protected their own interests.
Although the time and work were the most important values in the Renaissance, these values are still foster the progress of the economy, social and political in the modern. For instance, the Renaissance man contributed in economic and political developments significantly. These values have brought democracy where people have rights and freedom to contribute to the development of society. They have also helped in completing political and economic independence of most nations. Therefore, the rise of the bourgeois and middle-class values in the Renaissance transformed the political, economic and social activities of most nations.
References
Kocka, J. (1999). Industrial culture and bourgeois society: Business, labor, and bureaucracy in modern Germany. New York: Berghahn Books.
Perry, M. (2013). Sources of the Western tradition: Volume 2. Belmont, Calif: Wadsworth.
