THE CONCEPT OF ISOLATIONISM IN THE WORKS BY ENGLISH THINKERS OF THE EARLY MODERN TIMES (XVITH – THE BEGINNING OF THE XVIITH CENTURY): CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES AND HISTORICAL CONDITIONS OF THE CONCEPT FORMATION

Abstract

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the English social thought of the Early Modern Times (the XVIth century – the beginning of the XVIIth century). On the basis of the critical analysis conducted with the works by the English intellectuals of this period – «Utopia» by T. More, «New Atlantis» by F. Bacon and «The Man in the Moon» by F. Godwin, the author substantiates a thesis that the idea of isolationism as the basis of successful social development is the main one in the works by the designated thinkers.Through a comparative analysis of the works written by the English thinkers and intellectuals of continental Europe, the creator of the Czech «Treaty on the Establishment of Peace throughout Christendom» (known in the scientific literature as the Treatise of the Czech King Irzhi Podebrad) E. Crucé, the Reformers, the author concludes that the idea of isolationism is a distinctive feature of the English public thought peculiar to that period. In addition, the author formulates a hypothesis for possible historical roots found in the formation of this peculiarity of the English social thought in the Early Modern Times. The author considers its origin both in the unique political and legal system of England and in a number of historical events of the turn of the Late Middle Ages and the Early Modern Times – the defeat of England in the Hundred Years’ War, which led to actual transformation of England into an island state, as well as acceleration of the English people's identity formation, a lack of external threat to England from the Ottoman Empire, non-participation of England in the Great geographical discoveries of the late XVth – early XVIth century and division of the New World, a unique way of reformation in England with the help of the state reform.