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Overview
David Parker's challenging interpretation presents a broad, in-depth study of the economic, social, ideological and political foundations of French Absolutism. This stimulating reassessment runs contrary to much revisionist historiography.Synopsis
Class and State in Early Modern France explores the economic, social, ideological and political foundations of French Absolutism. David Parker's challenging interpretation presents French Absolutism as a remarkably successful attempt to preserve the political and ideological structures of the traditional order.
This reassessment runs contrary to much revisionist historiography, rejecting the widespread tendency to treat French Absolutism either as an instrument of capitalism or political modernisation. It also discusses a number of contentious issues such as the agrarian foundations of capitalism, the relationship between class and status, as well as the structure and ideology of the absolute state itself. It will be of interest to early modern historians of France, Britain and Europe.
Booknews
Modifies recent Marxist interpretations of the genesis, function, and nature of absolute monarchy through a study of the French variant which reached its apogee under Louis XIV, arguing that attempts to relate absolutism to the rise of capitalism have failed to show a significant connection, and challenging liberal treatments which stress the modernity of the absolute state. Contains chapters on the French economy, the roots of conflict, the nobility, power and ideology, and France, England, and the capitalist road. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.