Social Structure During the Renaissance: Italy vs. China Essay Example
Social Structure During the Renaissance: Italy vs. China
In contemporary western societies, social classes are based upon a middle, lower, and upper class. Today social mobility[1] between these classes is likely if not common; however this has not always been the case. In the time period of the Italian Renaissance[2], the roots of social mobility can be found. Social structure[3] in Italy was based upon Humanism.[4] The power structure[5] of the Medici[6] further supported Humanism and in turn supported social mobility. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, social mobility was much more stagnate. The social structure in China was based upon Confucianism.[7] Accordingly, the power structure of the Ming Dynasty[8] upheld these traditional ideals. Thus, in comparison, one can see that the social structure in Italy, based upon Humanism, was much more of a progressive step towards the social structure we have today, while China[9], some would say, still maintains a ridged and conservative social structure today. 14th century Italy saw the development of an unprecedented type of social structure, one based on ones’ wealth and economic status[10] instead of ones’ relationship to the church. Previously the church had control over much of the common mans’ daily life, including their class, which meant that a persons’ class was unlikely to change unless they were able to give large ‘donations’ to the church; however, the invention of the printing press[11] and the distribution of the translated bible[12] caused a dip in the church’s power. And thus the new system of social status was created. Social mobility was increased ten-fold seeing as ones‘ income and wealth is never constant and as ones‘ economic status ebbed and flowed their social status increased and decreased along with it.
The Italian Renaissance was a time of exceptional new thinkers paving the way for future generations. One
In contemporary western societies, social classes are based upon a middle, lower, and upper class. Today social mobility[1] between these classes is likely if not common; however this has not always been the case. In the time period of the Italian Renaissance[2], the roots of social mobility can be found. Social structure[3] in Italy was based upon Humanism.[4] The power structure[5] of the Medici[6] further supported Humanism and in turn supported social mobility. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, social mobility was much more stagnate. The social structure in China was based upon Confucianism.[7] Accordingly, the power structure of the Ming Dynasty[8] upheld these traditional ideals. Thus, in comparison, one can see that the social structure in Italy, based upon Humanism, was much more of a progressive step towards the social structure we have today, while China[9], some would say, still maintains a ridged and conservative social structure today. 14th century Italy saw the development of an unprecedented type of social structure, one based on ones’ wealth and economic status[10] instead of ones’ relationship to the church. Previously the church had control over much of the common mans’ daily life, including their class, which meant that a persons’ class was unlikely to change unless they were able to give large ‘donations’ to the church; however, the invention of the printing press[11] and the distribution of the translated bible[12] caused a dip in the church’s power. And thus the new system of social status was created. Social mobility was increased ten-fold seeing as ones‘ income and wealth is never constant and as ones‘ economic status ebbed and flowed their social status increased and decreased along with it.
The Italian Renaissance was a time of exceptional new thinkers paving the way for future generations. One