The Shaping of Liberal Politics in Revolutionary France: A Comparative Perspective (Princeton Legacy Library, 1135)

Marshalling historical materials to make a descriptive argument in social theory, this wide-ranging book compares the liberal revolution in France to the liberal revolutions in England and America and argues that the causes and outcomes of these upheavals were decisive in shaping later patterns of politics. Conflict is the stuff of politics, writes Anne Sa'adah, and liberal politics, because of its emphasis on the individual and its legitimation of self-interest, complicates the task of creating political community in a particularly interesting way. In England and America, the tension between conflict and community was resolved in a manner consistent with political stability. In France, the tension produced an instability that has surfaced periodically throughout subsequent French history. Why this is so is the subject of a work that treats the making of the modern political world in an unusually systematic way. In France, England, and America, the relationship of the state to society under the prerevolutionary regime limited revolutionary options. Sa'adah focuses on how this relationship created a politics of exclusion in France, while allowing a politics of transaction in England and America. Originally published in 1990. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905. Marshalling Historical Materials To Make A Descriptive Argument In Social Theory, This Wide-ranging Book Compares The Liberal Revolution In France To The Liberal Revolutions In England And America And Argues That The Causes And Outcomes Of These Upheavals Were Decisive In Shaping Later Patterns Of Politics. Conflict Is The Stuff Of Politics, Writes Anne Sa'adah And Liberal Politics, Because Of Its Emphasis On The Individual And Its Legitimation Of Self-interest, Complicates The Task Of Creating Political Community In A Particularly Interesting Way. In England And America, The Tension Between Conflict And Community Was Resolved In A Manner Consistent With Political Stability. In France, The Tension Produced An Instability That Has Surfaced Periodically Throughout Subsequent French History. Why This Is So Is The Subject Of A Work That Treats The Making Of The Modern Political World In An Unusually Systematic Way. In France, England, And America, The Relationship Of The State To Society Under The Prerevolutionary Regime Limited Revolutionary Options. Sa'adah Focuses On How This Relationship Created A Politics Of Exclusion In France, While Allowing A Politics Of Transaction In England And America. -- From Dust Jacket. Introduction: Liberalism In England, America, And France: Problems And Approaches -- Transaction Versus Exclusion: A Typology Of Liberal Politics Methodological Choices -- I. Another Route, A Different Liberty: Initial Options In England And America -- The Revolutionary Debate: The Reduction Of Ideological Distance -- The Structure Of Revolutionary Opportunity -- Liberty And Property: The Articulation Of A Political Ideal -- Ii. The First French Revolution, 1789-1792: The Sources And Significance Of A Moderate Defeat -- Liberalism Entrapped: The Old Regime And The Structure Of Revolutionary Opportunity -- Political Crossroads -- Toward The Politics Of Exclusion -- Iii. The Jacobin Alternative: Toward A Second Model Of Liberal Politics -- The Politics Of Exclusion: Negative Legitimacy -- Jacobinism And Liberalism: Defining The Common Good -- Conflict And Community? A Preliminary Verdict -- Iv. Conclusion: Liberal Politics Over Time. Anne Sa'adah. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [221]-237) And Index. Marshalling historical materials to make a descriptive argument in social theory, this wide-ranging book compares the liberal revolution in France to the liberal revolutions in England and America and argues that the causes and outcomes of these upheavals were decisive in shaping later patterns of politics. "Conflict is the stuff of politics," writes Anne Sa'adah, and liberal politics, because of its emphasis on the individual and its legitimation of self-interest, complicates the task of creating political community in a particularly interesting way. In England and America, the tension between conflict and community was resolved in a manner consistent with political stability. In France, the tension produced an instability that has surfaced periodically throughout subsequent French history. Why this is so is the subject of a work that treats the making of the modern political world in an unusually systematic way. In France, England, and America, the relationship of the state to society under the prerevolutionary regime limited revolutionary options. Sa'adah focuses on how this relationship created a politics of exclusion in France, while allowing a politics of transaction in England and America. Originally published in 1990. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905 Contents Preface Acknowledgments General Note on the Sources Introduction: Liberalism in England, America, and France: Problems and Approaches I. Another Route, a Different Liberty: Initial Options in England and America II. The First French Revolution, 1789—1792: The Sources and Significance of a Moderate Defeat III. TheJacobin Alternative: Toward a Second Model of Liberal Politics IV. Conclusion: Liberal Politics over Time Bibliography Index