“Liberalism and positivism were the most important influences on the modernization of the Americas.” Discuss.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments assessing the extent to which liberalism and positivism promoted modernization. In doing so, they may also discuss the influence of other trends, such as nationalism. While both liberalism and positivism must be discussed, allow some imbalance in their treatment. Points that may be addressed include the philosophy of positivism with its emphasis on promoting order and national progress, the important role for “technocrats” who valued rationalism and science over religion and conservative values, a contrast of the divergent effects experienced in different countries (such as a disregard for democracy under Diaz in Mexico and yet a contribution to the end of slavery in Brazil). Some candidates may argue that although political liberalism promoted values of republicanism and constitutionalism and the protection of individual liberties, it did not develop in Latin America as significantly as in the US and Canada.