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 ev...

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Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Collins, James B. 1950- (Author)
Format:	Electronic eBook
Language:	English
Published:	Cambridge Cambridge University Press 1995
Series:	New approaches to European history 5
Subjects:	Geschichte 1589-1789 Geschichte 1620-1789 Geschichte Monarchy / France / History Monarchie Nationalstaat Staat Frankreich France / History / Bourbons, 1589-1789
Online Access:	DE-12 DE-473 Volltext
Summary:	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
Item Description:	Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015)
Physical Description:	1 online resource (xxxiv, 280 pages)
ISBN:	9781139170147
DOI:	10.1017/CBO9781139170147