The State in Early Modern France: 5 (New Approaches to European History, Series Number 5) - Hardcover

Collins, James B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 052138284X ISBN 13: 9780521382847

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1995

Synopsis

This major new textbook addresses fundamental questions about the nature of the state in early modern Europe through an analysis of the most important continental state, France. Professor Collins abandons the traditional formulation of the absolute monarchy, and presents in its place a state that evolved to meet the needs of the French elites. Collins offers a detailed analysis of French society, to provide the broader context for the development of the French state. The model that emerges from his synthesis is one that relied more on persuasion and congruity of influence than on arbitrary authority, and Collins argues that fundamental changes in French society made the monarchical, ministerial state a dangerous anachronism by the 1750s, leading to political impasse by the second half of the eighteenth century. Collins offers a fundamental reinterpretation of the state relevant to historians and students of political thought.

About this title

Review

'The reader who savours the full pleasures of this book will be able to feel that he or she, at the end of it all, has a real grasp of both what happened in the old Bourbon state and how it functioned, changed and came apart. One could scarcely ask more of an introductory work; and one can only regret that more supposedly 'introductory' textbooks do not come up to Professor Collins's exacting standards.' French History

Book Description

This major textbook addresses the question, 'what is the state?', through an examination of the most important continental state of early modern Europe, France. It combines a reinterpretation of French society with a re-evaluation of the French monarchical state.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 052138284X
• ISBN 13: 9780521382847
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 314