People and Politics in France, 1848–1870

A 2004 study of the counter-revolutionary policies pursued by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte's regime in France after 1848.

Roger Price (Author)

9780521100137, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 18 January 2009

496 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm, 0.72 kg

Review of the hardback: '… rich synthesis … a densely documented, lively, perceptive survey of a transformative moment in French history.' The Journal of Interdisciplinary History

This 2004 book is about politicisation and political choice in the aftermath of the February Revolution of 1848, and the emergence of democracy in France. The introduction of male suffrage both encouraged expectations of social transformation and aroused intense fear. In these circumstances the election of Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte as President of the Republic - and his subsequent coup d'état - were the essential features of a counter-revolutionary process which involved the creation of a system of democracy as the basis of regime legitimacy and as a prelude to greater liberalisation. The state positively encouraged the act of voting. But what did it mean? How did people perceive politics? How did communities and groups participate in political activity? These and many other questions concern the relationships between local issues and personalities, and the national political culture, all of which impinged on communities increasingly as a result of substantial social and political change.

Introduction
1. Dominant classes: the social elites
2. Coming to terms with 'democracy'
3. Aspiring social groups: the middle classes
4. Peasants and rural society: a dominated class?
5. Peasants and politics
6. The formation of a working class
7. The working class challenge: socialisation and political choice
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Social & cultural history [HBTB], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]