The Terror of Natural Right : Republicanism, the Cult of Nature, and the French Revolution

Natural right—the idea that there is a collection of laws and rights based not on custom or belief but that are “natural” in origin—is typically associated with liberal politics and freedom. But during the French Revolution, this tradition was interpreted to justify the most repressive actions of the violent period known as the Terror. In __The Terror of Natural Right__, Dan Edelstein argues that the revolutionaries used the natural right concept of the “enemy of the human race”—an individual who has transgressed the laws of nature and must be executed without judicial formalities—to authorize three-quarters of the deaths during the Terror. But the significance of the natural right did not end with its legal application. Edelstein argues that the Jacobins shared a political philosophy that he calls “natural republicanism,” which assumed the natural state of society was a republic and that natural right provided its only acceptable laws. Ultimately, he argues that what we call the Terror was in fact only one facet of the republican theory that prevailed from Louis’s trial until the fall of Robespierre. A highly original work of historical analysis, political theory, literary criticism, and intellectual history, __The Terror of Natural Right__ challenges prevailing assumptions of the Terror to offer a new perspective on the Revolutionary period. Natural Right - The Idea That There Is A Collection Of Laws And Rights Based Not On Custom Or Belief But That Are Natural In Origin - Is Typically Associated With Liberal Politics And Freedom. But During The French Revolution, This Tradition Was Interpreted To Justify The Most Repressive Actions Of The Violent Period Known As The Terror. In The Terror Of Natural Right, Dan Edelstein Argues That The Revolutionaries Used The Natural Right Concept Of The Enemy Of The Human Race--an Individual Who Has Transgressed The Laws Of Nature And Must Be Executed Without Judicial Formalities - To Authorize Three-quarters Of The Deaths During The Terror. But The Significance Of The Natural Right Did Not End With Its Legal Application. Edelstein Argues That The Jacobins Shared A Political Philosophy That He Calls Natural Republicanism, Which Assumed The Natural State Of Society Was A Republic And That Natural Right Provided Its Only Acceptable Laws. Ultimately, He Argues That What We Call The Terror Was In Fact Only One Facet Of The Republican Theory That Prevailed From Louis's Trial Until The Fall Of Robespierre. A Work Of Historical Analysis, Political Theory, Literary Criticism, And Intellectual History, The Terror Of Natural Right Challenges Prevailing Assumptions Of The Terror To Offer A New Perspective On The Revolutionary Period.--jacket. Introduction : To Live And Die By Nature's Laws -- Prologue : Hostis Humani Generis -- Ch. 1. Imaginary Republics -- Ch. 2. Finding Nature -- Ch. 3. Off With Their Heads : Death And The Terror -- Ch. 4. Case Of The Missing Constitution : Of Power And Policy -- Ch. 5. Despotism Of Nature : Justice And The Republic-to-come -- Conclusion : Legacies Of The Terror. Dan Edelstein. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [277]-311) And Index.

Natural right—the idea that there is a collection of laws and rights based not on custom or belief but that are “natural” in origin—is typically associated with liberal politics and freedom. But during the French Revolution, this tradition was interpreted to justify the most repressive actions of the violent period known as the Terror.

In The Terror of Natural Right, Dan Edelstein argues that the revolutionaries used the natural right concept of the “enemy of the human race”—an individual who has transgressed the laws of nature and must be executed without judicial formalities—to authorize three-quarters of the deaths during the Terror. But the significance of the natural right did not end with its legal application. Edelstein argues that the Jacobins shared a political philosophy that he calls “natural republicanism,” which assumed the natural state of society was a republic and that natural right provided its only acceptable laws. Ultimately, he argues that what we call the Terror was in fact only one facet of the republican theory that prevailed from Louis’s trial until the fall of Robespierre.

A highly original work of historical analysis, political theory, literary criticism, and intellectual history, The Terror of Natural Right challenges prevailing assumptions of the Terror to offer a new perspective on the Revolutionary period.

Natural right—the idea that there is a collection of laws and rights based not on custom or belief but that are “natural” in origin—is typically associated with liberal politics and freedom. In The Terror of Natural Right, Dan Edelstein argues that the revolutionaries used the natural right concept of the “enemy of the human race”—an individual who has transgressed the laws of nature and must be executed without judicial formalities—to authorize three-quarters of the deaths during the Terror. Edelstein further contends that the Jacobins shared a political philosophy that he calls “natural republicanism,” which assumed that the natural state of society was a republic and that natural right provided its only acceptable laws. Ultimately, he proves that what we call the Terror was in fact only one facet of the republican theory that prevailed from Louis’s trial until the fall of Robespierre.

A highly original work of historical analysis, political theory, literary criticism, and intellectual history, The Terror of Natural Right challenges prevailing assumptions of the Terror to offer a new perspective on the Revolutionary period.

"Natural right - the idea that there is a collection of laws and rights based not on custom or belief but that are 'natural' in origin - is typically associated with liberal politics and freedom. In The Terror of Natural Right, Dan Edelstein argues that the revolutionaries used the natural right concept of the 'enemy of the human race' - an individual who has transgressed the laws of nature and must be executed without judicial formalities - to authorize three-quarters of the deaths during the Terror. Edelstein further contends that the Jacobins shared a political philosophy that he calls 'natural republicanism, ' which assumed that the natural state of society was a republic and that natural right provided its only acceptable laws. Ultimately, he proves that what we call the Terror was in fact only one facet of the republican theory that prevailed from Louis's trial until the fall of Robespierre. A highly original work of historical analysis, political theory, literary criticism, and intellectual history, The Terror of Natural Right challenges prevailing assumptions of the Terror to offer a new perspective on the Revolutionary period."--Publisher info Argues that the revolutionaries of eighteenth-century France used the natural right concept of the 'enemy of the human race' - an individual who has transgressed the laws of nature and must be executed without judicial formalities - to authorize three-quarters of the deaths during the Terror.