Robespierre - The Man Who Divides Us the Most (Hardcover)

How Robespierre's career and legacy embody the dangerous contradictions of democracy Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794) is arguably the most controversial and contradictory figure of the French Revolution, inspiring passionate debate like no other protagonist of those dramatic and violent events. The fervor of those who defend Robespierre the "Incorruptible," who championed the rights of the people, is met with revulsion by those who condemn him as the bloodthirsty tyrant who sent people to the guillotine. Marcel Gauchet argues that he was both, embodying the glorious achievement of liberty as well as the excesses that culminated in the Terror. In much the same way that 1789 and 1793 symbolize the two opposing faces of the French Revolution, Robespierre's contradictions were the contradictions of the revolution itself. Robespierre was its purest incarnation, neither the defender of liberty who fell victim to the corrupting influence of power nor the tyrant who betrayed the principles of the revolution. Gauchet shows how Robespierre's personal transition from opposition to governance was itself an expression of the tragedy inherent in a revolution whose own prophetic ideals were impossible to implement. This panoramic book tells the story of how the man most associated with the founding of modern French democracy was also the first tyrant of that democracy, and it offers vital lessons for all democracies about the perpetual danger of tyranny.

General

Imprint:	Princeton University Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	March 2022
First published:	2022
Authors:	Marcel Gauchet
Translators:	Malcolm DeBevoise
Dimensions:	235 x 156 x 23mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Trade binding
Pages:	224
ISBN-13:	978-0-691-21294-4
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Biography & autobiography > Historical, political & military Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > Political science & theory Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Cultural studies > History of ideas, intellectual history Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > European history > General Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social & political philosophy Books > History > European history > General Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Biography > Historical, political & military Books > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social & political philosophy Promotions
LSN:	0-691-21294-5
Barcode:	9780691212944

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