“Social and economic change in the Enlightenment era was limited.” Discuss.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that social and economic change in the Enlightenment era was limited. To support the statement, candidates may consider the privileges the nobility retained, the authority of the Church over the population, and the preservation of traditional values within peasant communities, among other factors. Candidates may also state that many feudal practices still regulated access to the land, trade and the tax system. Candidates may challenge the statement discussing the impact of the new philosophical and scientific ideas on society and economy, the changes in the international market, and the early stages of industrialization. Candidates may also point out that many monarchs embraced the Enlightenment introducing new laws to modernize their kingdoms. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that social and economic change in the Enlightenment era was limited. Few responses were seen to this question. Those that were seen tended to rely on generalisations.