ABSTRACT
The starting point in the early nineteenth century is a Europe recovering from the Napoleonic Wars, Japan still basically feudal and USA about to embark on the expulsion of Mexico and its European friends from the southern territories. The Russian Tsar and his Empire have repelled Napoleon and appear to be a stable force in Europe, albeit autocratic, and populated by an enserfed peasantry. Both Russian and German leaders are highly distrustful of France, its revolutionary inclinations and indeed of all aspects of modernisation, democratisation and urbanisation. Britain is the most advanced nation economically and, though this is not necessarily apparent in the early years, has the industrial strength together with assured naval and mercantile power to be dominant militarily. The laissezfaire which emanates from Adam Smith’s teaching provides some intellectual background for a society with a thriving private sector and public sector limited to law, order, defence but also with limited local health and sanitation facilities, about to be exposed by rapid urbanisation.
