An analysis of the frances financial issues since 17th century

Bring fact-checked results to the top of your browser search. Economy France is one of the major economic powers of the world, ranking along with such countries as the United StatesJapanGermanyItalyand the United Kingdom.

Lori Steinbach Certified Educator Before the seventeenth century, knowledge was primarily based on observation and authority. Observation, of course, was a helpful tool for many aspects of life, including the sciences; however, often such casual observations were neither repeatable nor reliable.

In short, they were unscientific by today's standards. This more haphazard and less precise method of gaining knowledge did not negate some of the findings. In fact, many of the things we know about our world today were Before the seventeenth century, knowledge was primarily based on observation and authority.

In fact, many of the things we know about our world today were learned, at least in part, by these early observer-scientists. Consider Galileo and his magnificent discoveries, many of which we know to be true even today. Unfortunately, however, many faulty assumptions were also made during this time, including the concept of spontaneous regeneration, for example.

And the use of authority as a source of knowledge was equally flawed. While every discovery and observation which happened pre-scientific method cannot be automatically discounted as false or inaccurate, the opposite is also true. One of the forerunners of the scientific method was Sir Francis Bacon.

He was an advocate for empirical evidence gathered in an organized and scientific way, and he was interested in using the data he and others gathered through the experiments required by the scientific approach to benefit society. Another great mind who influenced the scientific approach was Rene Descartes, a man who utilized reasoning and detailed analysis to approach problems and data.

Together, the two men were able to dramatically improve both the technology and living conditions in their worlds. The more traditional approach of accepting the authority of the church or of established philosophies such as those developed by Aristotle and other ancient philosophers began to wane in the seventeenth century and was replaced by scientific reasoning.

Facts, observations, and repeatable experiments became the new authority, shifting the balance of power from other institutions particularly the church to the logic and reason.

This is known as the Enlightenment, the forerunner to much of the thinking which served as the foundation for a new country called America, as discussed in the post above.

Because of the development of the scientific method, we no longer have to be dependent on other people or institutions for our knowledge about most things--at least in theory. This same scientific theory which gave such freedom to the world is now often held captive by political or other ideologies, since we know that a scientist's personal worldviews and beliefs can distort, color, or slant his findings.

Two significant examples of scientific theories which are impacted by personal biases are global warming and evolution, both of which are debated by respected scientists and thinkers on many sides of these issues.

Nevertheless, the development of a regulated method of scientific inquiry has been one of the most significant developments in the history of the world.For the first few years of the 21st Century, wealth per adult grew at an exceptional rate in France, tripling in value between and When the global recession occurred, France's economy entered later and emerged earlier than most comparable economies, with just four quarters of contraction.

By the middle of the 16th century, France's demographic growth, its increased demand for consumer goods, and its rapid influx of gold and silver from Africa and the Americas led to inflation (grain became five times as expensive from to ), and wage stagnation.

A good introductory text, recently updated, by a noted French specialist on the 16th century. Knecht, Robert Jean. The Rise and Fall of Renaissance France, – 2d ed. London: Blackwell, E-mail Citation» A sound and readable narrative introduction to France in the “long sixteenth century,” especially strong on political history.

In keeping with this interpretation, Marxist historians from the s to the ’70s emphasized that the French 18th-century bourgeoisie had assumed a distinct position in French society in that it was in control of commerce, banking, and industry.

Economic and Social Conditions in France During the Eighteenth Century / 7 occupied by lawyers, both advocates and attorneys, or by financiers, namely employees of the general farm or collectors of the royal taxes? Only in the larger ports did the merchants play an important rôle.

"Consomme, meaning a clear soup, has been used in English since the early part of the 19th century, but has been a French culinary term since the 16th century. It is the past participle of the verb consommer, meaning to consume or accomplish or finish, and indicating in this context a finished soup as opposed to a simple stock or broth.