French Liberalism From Montesquieu To The Present Day
by Helena Rosenblatt /
2012 / English / PDF
3.5 MB Download
There is an enduring assumption that the French have never been and
will never be liberal. As with all clichés, this contains a grain
of truth, but it also overlooks an important school of thought that
has been a constant presence in French intellectual and political
culture for nearly three centuries: French political liberalism. In
this collaborative volume, a distinguished group of philosophers,
political theorists and intellectual historians uncover this
unjustly neglected tradition. The chapters examine the nature and
distinctiveness of French liberalism, providing a comprehensive
treatment of major themes including French liberalism's
relationship with republicanism, Protestantism, utilitarianism and
the human rights tradition. Individual chapters are devoted to
Montesquieu, Tocqueville, Aron, Lefort and Gauchet, as well as to
some lesser known, yet important thinkers, including several
political economists and French-style 'neoliberals'. French
Liberalism from Montesquieu to the Present Day is essential reading
for all those interested in the history of political thought.
There is an enduring assumption that the French have never been and
will never be liberal. As with all clichés, this contains a grain
of truth, but it also overlooks an important school of thought that
has been a constant presence in French intellectual and political
culture for nearly three centuries: French political liberalism. In
this collaborative volume, a distinguished group of philosophers,
political theorists and intellectual historians uncover this
unjustly neglected tradition. The chapters examine the nature and
distinctiveness of French liberalism, providing a comprehensive
treatment of major themes including French liberalism's
relationship with republicanism, Protestantism, utilitarianism and
the human rights tradition. Individual chapters are devoted to
Montesquieu, Tocqueville, Aron, Lefort and Gauchet, as well as to
some lesser known, yet important thinkers, including several
political economists and French-style 'neoliberals'. French
Liberalism from Montesquieu to the Present Day is essential reading
for all those interested in the history of political thought.
