The Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsayâs Essay de politique : FeÌnelon and Jacobitism
Andrew Michael Ramsayâs Essay de Politique (1719) and the revised second edition, the Essay philosophique sur le gouvernement civil (1721) claimed to promulgate the political principles of the Archbishop FeÌnelon author of TeÌleÌmaque (1699). The assumed relationship between FeÌnelon and Ramsay augmented by Ramsayâs Vie de FeÌnelon (1723) meant that subsequent biographers of both men have believed the Essay to be a faithful depiction of the prelateâs political ideas. However this work, aided by the Vie de FeÌnelon was used by Ramsay to promote the Jacobite cause of James Stuart (the 'Pretender'). The Essay was used by Ramsay to set out a theoretical system of government that would prevent an 'excess of liberty' in the people and thereby prevent the possibility of Revolution against a king. Ramsay's second edition augmented this idea with a more focused attack on the contract theorists and apologists for the 1689 Revolution. Ramsay deliberately manipulated the political legacy of FeÌnelon and focused on a corrupted view of FeÌnelon's early (children's) educational works in his promotion of Jacobitism. In doing so, he disregarded the important later reform plans for the French state under the potential
Mansfield, Andrew K.
D204 Modern History, 1453- ; JA Political science (General) ; JC131 Modern state
The Chevalier Andrew Michael Ramsayâs Essay de politique : FeÌnelon and Jacobitism. Andrew Michael Ramsayâs Essay de Politique (1719) and the revised second edition, the Essay philosophique sur le gouvernement civil (1721) claimed to promulgate the political principles of the Archbishop FeÌnelon author of TeÌleÌmaque (1699). The assumed relationship between FeÌnelon and Ramsay augmented by Ramsayâs Vie de FeÌnelon (1723) meant that subsequent biographers of both men have believed the Essay to be a faithful depiction of the prelateâs political ideas. However this work, aided by the Vie de FeÌnelon was used by Ramsay to promote the Jacobite cause of James Stuart (the 'Pretender'). The Essay was used by Ramsay to set out a theoretical system of government that would prevent an 'excess of liberty' in the people and thereby prevent the possibility of Revolution against a king. Ramsay's second edition augmented this idea with a more focused attack on the contract theorists and apologists for the 1689 Revolution. Ramsay deliberately manipulated the political legacy of FeÌnelon and focused on a corrupted view of FeÌnelon's early (children's) educational works in his promotion of Jacobitism. In doing so, he disregarded the important later reform plans for the French state under the potential
essay essay revise second edition essay civil claim promulgate political principle archbishop author assume relationship augment mean subsequent biographer men believe essay faithful depiction political idea however work aid use promote jacobite cause james stuart essay use set theoretical system government would prevent excess liberty people thereby prevent possibility revolution king second edition augment idea focus attack contract theorists revolution deliberately manipulate political legacy focus corrupt view early child educational work promotion disregard important later reform plan french state potential