Guilds In The Middle Ages
In the interior of towns was located a very vital piece to the medieval industrial production. For Manors needed the products and services of “mason, expert armorers and metalworkers…” (24, Heilbroner), in order to sustain itself. This institution is known as a guild, and can be considered the “business units” of the Middle Ages. However the guild’s function was considered much more than just a foundation that focused on the organization and production of economic growth. It was shown that they were also focused on non-economical affairs such as the civil duties, and the charitable contributions expected of each member. Their role was not only to provide a product and service but also to monitor the social behaviors. A guild’s rationale was
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There was now an emphasis on producing goods in a timely and cost efficient manner as this increased the wealth of the major stakeholders in society. The guild’s mission statement was diametrically opposed to this and as such they were marginalized. The very nature of the guild was shown to be extremely static, something that is against the very concept of industrialization. The guilds were accused of being against the general interest of producers since they were exclusive, and had entitlements, which restricted the numbers of people, “who could neither enter them nor set up beside them from earning an honest livelihood” (122, Renard). Due to guilds being a monopoly they charged more for their goods and services, “ If, as in Smith’s time, great companies are given monopolies of foreign trade, the public cannot realize the full benefits of cheaper foreign produce” (70, Heilbroner). For this reason Economists and philosophers decided to take a stand by organizing an attack toward their principles freeing equality and liberty (122, Renard). With the rise of urban proletariat, came about the change in the guilds, “partly by the immigration into the cities of some of the new landless peasantry ” (43, Heilbroner). Because of the increase in population led to the enlargement of the area in which guilds operated, this had negative repercussions as it had to adapt from its normal static self into an market which had vastly expanded internally but as well as externally. (76,
There was now an emphasis on producing goods in a timely and cost efficient manner as this increased the wealth of the major stakeholders in society. The guild’s mission statement was diametrically opposed to this and as such they were marginalized. The very nature of the guild was shown to be extremely static, something that is against the very concept of industrialization. The guilds were accused of being against the general interest of producers since they were exclusive, and had entitlements, which restricted the numbers of people, “who could neither enter them nor set up beside them from earning an honest livelihood” (122, Renard). Due to guilds being a monopoly they charged more for their goods and services, “ If, as in Smith’s time, great companies are given monopolies of foreign trade, the public cannot realize the full benefits of cheaper foreign produce” (70, Heilbroner). For this reason Economists and philosophers decided to take a stand by organizing an attack toward their principles freeing equality and liberty (122, Renard). With the rise of urban proletariat, came about the change in the guilds, “partly by the immigration into the cities of some of the new landless peasantry ” (43, Heilbroner). Because of the increase in population led to the enlargement of the area in which guilds operated, this had negative repercussions as it had to adapt from its normal static self into an market which had vastly expanded internally but as well as externally. (76,