Reform and Revolution in France The Politics of Transition, 1774}}}1791 [Hardcover]

A new social and political interpretation of the origins of the French Revolution.Combining social and political interpretations of the evolution's origins, this synthesis seeks to restore the Revolution to its domestic surroundings. It argues that the dramatic events of 1789 need to be considered alongside the reform achievements of Bourbon absolute monarchy.Combining social and political interpretations of the evolution's origins, this synthesis seeks to restore the Revolution to its domestic surroundings. It argues that the dramatic events of 1789 need to be considered alongside the reform achievements of Bourbon absolute monarchy.This textbook has been written to guide teachers and students through the enormous and ever expanding literature on the French Revolution. The author combines social and political interpretations of the origins of the Revolution and offers a synthesis that takes full account of current debates. He also seeks to restore the Revolution to its domestic surroundings, and argues that the dramatic events of 1789 need to be considered alongside the reform achievements of Bourbon absolute monarchy.List of illustrations; Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction; 1. Government; 2. Society; 3. Economy; 4. Reform and the reform constituency; 5. Towards 'a truly national representation', 17871789; 6. The National Assembly, 17891791; 7. The political culture of revolution; Conclusion; Notes; Bibliography; Index. [Jones'] trenchant analysis of the governmental, social, and economic structure of pre-Revolutionary France is clear and nuanced...This brief summary cannot do justice to the persuasive arguments and rich detail which Jones's book offers. It deserves a place on the bookshelves of specialists and undergraduates alike. The Historian Reform and Revolution in France displays the best qualities of a textbook; it is carefully organized, crisply written and very up-to-date....This brief summary cannot do justice to the persuasive arguments andl“