Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-1859)_A Review of Southey’s Colloquies

Macaulay is one of the rare authors who saw the sacrifice of humans in the industrialization process as a positive thing. He was very optimist and believed that the improvement of society is natural. In ‘A review of Southey’s Colloquies’ Macaulay tried to convince the readers that all these hungers, struggle and fight will end and that society will be much more easier to live in. Considering all the injustice that was going on then I must say that reading Macaulay could have done some good to low and middle class people because of the encouragement he gave them. “We see the wealth of nations increasing, and all the art of life approaching nearer and nearer to perfection, in spite of the grossest corruption and the wildest profusion on the part of rulers.” (P1823) I agree that, the wealth of the nation is growing, but it must be understood that only a small part of the population benefit form it then; I must also say that Macaulay was seen into the future when he said that the art of life is approaching to perfection because it is heading that way, and a lot of improvement have been done by leaders since then. Even thought this author was writing for changes, for poor people, he still could be read by rich and was reaching to society as a whole. “We believe that, in spite of all the mis-government of the rulers, she has been almost richer and richer…but the tide is evidently coming in.” (P1823) When we read about all the injustice that was going on in England, society needed an author like Macaulay to get strength and look forward to the future. It is impossible to disagree with him as he laid the changes that will happen in the world in an accurate way; almost like a psychic :)
“Our rulers will best promote the improvement of the nation by strictly confining themselves to their own legitimate duties…by maintaining peace, by defending property, by diminishing the price of law, and by observing strict economy in every department of the State. Let the Government do this: the people will assuredly do the rest.” (P1824) Unlike the other authors, Macaulay did not just denounce the injustice; he also laid the steps to follow in order to improve. I believe he agreed there was injustice but he had faith that changes could happen; he begged the government to take the first steps and assure them that the people will follow those steps and be glad they did.
All those authors have different or sometimes the same style; regardless of the style: whether denouncing or giving step; they all had a positive impact on the direction the world has taken…