Joseph de Maistre and His European Readers: From Friedrich von Gentz to Isaiah Berlin (Studies in the History of Political Thought, 5)

Following the publication of Isaiah Berlin's essay on Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821), the Savoyard philosopher has been known primarily in the English-speaking world as a precursor of fascism. The essays in this volume challenge this view. Disclosing the inaccuracies and limitations of Berlin's account, they illustrate Maistre's colossally diverse European posterity. Far from an inflexible ideologist, Maistre was a versatile and deeply modern thinker who attracted interpreters across the political spectrum. Through the centuries, Maistre's passionate Europeanism has contributed to his popularity from Madrid to Moscow. And in our times, when religion is re-asserting itself as a source of public reason, his theorization of the encounter between tradition and modernity is lending his work ever more urgent relevance. Cover illustration by Matthieu Manche Long Known Solely As Fascism’s Precursor, Joseph De Maistre (1753-1821) Re-emerges In This Volume As A Versatile Thinker With A Colossally Diverse Posterity Whose Continuing Relevance In Europe Is Ensured By His Theorization Of The Encounter Between Tradition And Modernity. FM......Page 1 Introduction......Page 19 1......Page 35 2......Page 65 3......Page 83 4......Page 101 5......Page 131 6......Page 159 7......Page 179 8......Page 195 9......Page 219 10......Page 257 BM......Page 273 Edited By Carolina Armenteros, Richard A Lebrun. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.