Louis XVI and a new monarchy : an institutional and political study of France l768-l778
This is a political and institutional study of a decade of political activity in the old rĂ©gime 1768- 1778. It assesses its strengths, weaknesses, and reforming potential, and seeks to establish it as a viable and credible political culture. The study moves from a description of the regime in actuality, through various of its institutions, and on to an interpretation of Necker's reforming vision in 1778. The political dimension is provided by an analysis of politics over the decade using much new material, and by describing the political experience of one individual. I. defines the regime's geopolitical differentiation, administrative-cum-legal structures, social composition, and areas of stress and potential change. It identifies the robe as the dominant force in society, and devolution as the main pressure for reform. II. examines theorists of the monarchy, especially Louis XVI's tutors, and thence his practice of kingship to show that he believed he was following a blue-print for success. III. shows that Maupeou's reforms were not a firm base for wider reform and restructuring, but that the exiled magistrates had developed a coherent ideology of institutional conservatism which operated in opposition to
Burley, P.
History
Louis XVI and a new monarchy : an institutional and political study of France l768-l778. This is a political and institutional study of a decade of political activity in the old rĂ©gime 1768- 1778. It assesses its strengths, weaknesses, and reforming potential, and seeks to establish it as a viable and credible political culture. The study moves from a description of the regime in actuality, through various of its institutions, and on to an interpretation of Necker's reforming vision in 1778. The political dimension is provided by an analysis of politics over the decade using much new material, and by describing the political experience of one individual. I. defines the regime's geopolitical differentiation, administrative-cum-legal structures, social composition, and areas of stress and potential change. It identifies the robe as the dominant force in society, and devolution as the main pressure for reform. II. examines theorists of the monarchy, especially Louis XVI's tutors, and thence his practice of kingship to show that he believed he was following a blue-print for success. III. shows that Maupeou's reforms were not a firm base for wider reform and restructuring, but that the exiled magistrates had developed a coherent ideology of institutional conservatism which operated in opposition to
louis new monarchy institutional political study france political institutional study decade political_activity old ass strength_weakness reform potential seek_establish viable credible political_culture study move description regime actuality various institution interpretation reform vision political_dimension provide_analysis politics decade use much new material describe political experience individual defines regime geopolitical differentiation administrative cum legal structure social_composition area stress potential change identifies dominant force society devolution main pressure reform examine theorist monarchy especially louis tutor thence practice kingship show believe follow blue print success iii show reform firm base wider reform restructuring exile magistrate develop coherent ideology institutional conservatism operate opposition