19th Century French Liberalism

About this Collection

Between the French Revolution and the First World War France produced an impressive group of classical liberal and conservative writers. They focused on the problems of creating a constitutional limited government, the issue of free trade, French imperialism and colonialism, the history of the French Revolution and Napoleon, freedom of speech, the rise of socialism and the welfare state. They differed from their English colleagues in a number of ways, particularly in the French preference to ground the defense of liberty on natural rights instead of utilitarianism, which was increasingly favored by the English. By the time the First World War broke out the French liberal movement had been fatally weakened and it virtually disappeared.

Key People

Titles & Essays

A – Z List

Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources (General)

Loading...

Economic History And Conditions

Loading...

France Andorra Monaco

Loading...

General Works

Loading...

History Of Scholarship And Learning. The Humanities

Loading...

Language And Literature

Loading...

Philosophy, Psychology, And Religion

Loading...

Social Sciences

Loading...

United States

Loading...
Loading...

Quotes

Presidents, Kings, Tyrants, & Despots

Benjamin Constant argued that mediocre men, when they acquired power, became “more envious, more obstinate, more immoderate, and more convulsive” than men with talent (1815)

Benjamin Constant

Notes About This Collection

For more information see: