In “Human Empire: Mobility and Demographic Thought in the British Atlantic World, 1500-1800,” Ted McCormick, an Associate Professor of History at Concordia University in Montreal, presents a meticulous and insightful examination of the influence of demographic governance on English developments during the specified historical epoch. McCormick’s scholarly work constitutes a valuable contribution to the field of early modern history, furnishing a nuanced comprehension of the intricate interplay between demographic governance, mobility, and power. Employing a diverse array of sources, including political treatises, travel narratives, and economic writings, the author elucidates the pivotal role played by demographic thought in shaping English political and social dynamics.
In particular, Chapter 1, titled “Mobility and Mutability in the Early Tudor Body Politic,” introduces the concept of demographic governance and its relevance in early modern England. McCormick contends that the Tudor era witnessed a paradigm shift in the conceptualization of English society, transitioning from a functional multitude-based body politic to a population characterized as mobile, mutable, and quantifiable. This transformation was instigated by factors such as urbanization, the ascendancy of the market economy, and the burgeoning significance of overseas trade.
A salient aspect of this novel governance approach was the accentuation of mobility. Authorities endeavored to regulate the movement of individuals within the country, especially focusing on the impoverished and vagrant, to uphold social order and prevent disease dissemination. Simultaneously, certain groups, such as skilled workers and entrepreneurs, were encouraged to be mobile to stimulate economic growth and colonial expansion.
Another integral facet of demographic governance was the emphasis on mutability, implying intentional interventions for population transformation. Policies addressing health and fertility enhancement, coupled with efforts to regulate morality and religious beliefs, underscored this focus on intentional transformation.
McCormick concludes that the Tudor era marked the inception of a governance paradigm characterized by a concentration on mobility and mutability, which significantly impacted English society and set the stage for modern imperialism and the evolution of demographic science.
Analytically, McCormick’s chapter serves as a valuable primer on demographic governance and its relevance in early modern England. He adeptly illustrates how this innovative governance approach was molded by a confluence of social, economic, and political factors, reflecting broader societal changes during this epoch. By underscoring the significance of mobility and mutability, the author lays the groundwork for his subsequent exploration of demographic thought in the British Atlantic world.
Chapter 2, titled “Marginality, Incivility and Degeneration in Elizabethan England and Ireland,” delves into the frameworks of demographic governance presented by Jean Bodin and Giovanni Botero, and their impact on English political thought.
McCormick posits that Bodin and Botero served as influential sources for English thinkers contending with demographic governance challenges in the late Tudor period. Both philosophers underscored the primacy of reason of state, advocating for the prioritization of state interests over individual rights and freedoms. Additionally, they shared concerns about degeneration, positing that populations could deteriorate in quality over time.
In the English context, these concepts were applied to marginalized groups, including vagrants, the Irish, and the impoverished. English authorities sought to regulate these groups through policies encompassing transportation, forced labor, and moral reform. Simultaneously, efforts were made to foster the mobility and productivity of specific groups, such as skilled workers and entrepreneurs.
McCormick contends that the demographic governance frameworks articulated by Bodin and Botero significantly influenced English political thought in the late Tudor period. These frameworks facilitated the emergence of a new governance approach characterized by a focus on reason of state, degeneration, and the regulation of marginalized groups.
However, McCormick’s chapter furnishes a comprehensive overview of the intellectual milieu within which English thinkers operated during the late Tudor period. He effectively demonstrates how Bodin’s and Botero’s ideas were adapted and applied to address the unique challenges of demographic governance in England and Ireland.
Chapter 3, titled “Beyond the Body Politic: Territory, Population, and Colonial Projecting,” scrutinizes the management of specific population groups in England during the late Tudor period, encompassing vagrants, the Irish, and the impoverished.
McCormick contends that English authorities endeavored to regulate these groups through diverse policies, including transportation, forced labor, and moral reform. These policies were motivated by a confluence of concerns related to social order, economic productivity, and religious and political stability.
Simultaneously, English authorities were immersed in colonial projecting, involving the establishment of overseas colonies and settlements. This process entailed the mobilization and transplantation of substantial populations across the Atlantic, necessitating meticulous planning and administration.
McCormick posits that the management of specific population groups in England during the late Tudor period was intricately intertwined with the evolution of colonial projecting. Both phenomena entailed the regulation of populations and the governance of mobility, driven by an array of economic, political, and religious considerations.
In Chapter 4, entitled “Transmutation, Quantification, and the Creation of Political Arithmetic,” the author explores the advent of political arithmetic and its import within the context of demographic governance.
McCormick asserts that political arithmetic signaled a pivotal shift in the conceptualization and administration of populations. It involved the application of mathematical and quantitative methodologies to population studies, propelled by factors such as the ascendance of empirical science, the development of novel statistical techniques, and the escalating significance of demographic data.
A salient characteristic of political arithmetic was its emphasis on transmutation, suggesting that populations could be deliberately altered through interventionist measures. This encompassed policies aimed at enhancing population health and fertility, alongside endeavors to regulate morality and religious convictions.
However, the author argues that political arithmetic embodied a fresh governance paradigm characterized by an emphasis on quantification and transmutation. This approach wielded far-reaching consequences for the management and regulation of populations, laying the groundwork for the inception of modern demographic science and the emergence of novel governance modalities.
Chapter 5, titled “Improving Populations in the Eighteenth Century,” directs attention to the rise of novel ideas and practices associated with population enhancement during the eighteenth century.
McCormick contends that the eighteenth century witnessed a burgeoning interest in population improvement, propelled by diverse factors such as the ascent of commercial society, advancements in medical and scientific knowledge, and the escalating importance of demographic data.
A prominent aspect of this contemporary approach to population improvement was its emphasis on promoting health and fertility. This involved a spectrum of policies and practices, ranging from the provision of medical care to the advocacy of healthy lifestyles and the encouragement of marriage and childbearing.
Another significant facet of this evolving approach to population improvement was its focus on regulating morality and behavior. This encompassed initiatives to propagate religious and moral values, coupled with policies aimed at curbing vice and immorality.
Hence, the author posits that the advent of novel ideas and practices related to population improvement in the eighteenth century represented a substantive paradigm shift in the management and regulation of populations. This innovative approach was characterized by an emphasis on health, fertility, and morality, reflective of broader transformations in English society during this epoch.
The conclusions of Ted McCormick’s “Human Empire: Mobility and Demographic Thought in the British Atlantic World, 1500-1800,” titled “Malthus, Demographic Governance, and the Limits of Politics,” represents the culmination of the book’s investigation into demographic governance and its broader implications. McCormick employs this section to reflect upon the presented ideas and their relevance to a comprehensive understanding of demographic governance and its inherent limitations.
McCormick delves into the influence of Thomas Malthus and his seminal work, “An Essay on the Principle of Population,” on the discourse surrounding demographic governance. He posits that Malthus’s contributions marked a departure from preceding approaches to demographic governance, particularly through his emphasis on the unalterable and universally applicable law of population growth. The author underscores the significance of Malthus’s arguments in challenging the assumptions and methodologies of early modern demographic governance, acknowledging the distinctiveness of Malthus’s views while recognizing their connections to conceptual frameworks developed by early modern projectors.
Furthermore, McCormick accentuates the broader implications of Malthus’s work, particularly regarding the degree to which population growth or decline could be subject to human control. He underscores the importance of contextualizing Malthus’s ideas within a broader historical framework of demographic governance, shedding light on the continuities and divergences that Malthus’s arguments present in relation to earlier approaches.
In conclusion, “Human Empire: Mobility and Demographic Thought in the British Atlantic World, 1500-1800” by Ted McCormick stands as a meticulously researched and thought-provoking exploration of demographic governance and its evolution over the centuries. McCormick’s insightful analysis sheds light on the intricate interplay between mobility, population dynamics, and political control in the British Atlantic world, providing a fresh perspective on how populations were managed and regulated during this period.
Through a detailed examination of key historical figures, ideas, and practices, the author adeptly traces the development of demographic thought from the early modern period to the emergence of new approaches in the eighteenth century. By delving into the works of thinkers such as Thomas Malthus and examining the impact of political arithmetic on governance, McCormick offers a comprehensive overview of shifting paradigms in population management and control.
Moreover, McCormick’s nuanced analysis of the limitations of politics in the face of demographic forces adds depth to the discussion, prompting readers to reconsider traditional notions of governance and control. By highlighting tensions between demographic agency and external interventions, the author challenges readers to reflect on the complexities of population dynamics and the challenges of governing diverse and mobile populations.
Therefore, “Human Empire” is a compelling and insightful work that will resonate with scholars and enthusiasts of history, sociology, and political science. McCormick’s engaging writing style, rigorous research, and nuanced analysis make this book a valuable contribution to the field of demographic studies, and it is a must-read for anyone seeking to comprehend the intersections of mobility, population, and governance in the British Atlantic world.
by Giovanni Santoro