Capitalism and Democracy

The Renaissance was an era of fundamental change; it paved the way for the transition from the preindustrial, predominantly agricultural age to the industrial age. Expansion of trade, economic diversity, great geographical discoveries, religious reform, political restructuring, and important scientific developments and technological innovations were largely responsible for civilizational change. Kings and princes during that era were interested in consolidating their political power, while traders and city dwellers were interested in protecting their social and economic freedoms. As a consequence, representatives of the forces of the political and economic processes joined hands to fight and defeat the Church and its political authority and economic doctrine. Since the new state could no longer claim or wish to claim a religious mandate, it had to have the implicit, if not the explicit, consent of its citizens to gain legitimacy and rule.