Freedom of the Ancients and Moderns: A Selection of Political Essays by Alexis de Tocqueville

Author: Constant
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Although Constant offered an evaluation of the French Revolution, strictly speaking, before 1895, he was merely an observer rather than a participant of the revolution. The turning point in this regard was his relationship with Madame Sta?l. Madame Sta?l was the daughter of the famous French revolutionary politician Necker and an outstanding liberal political activist and writer. Constant met Madame Sta?l in Switzerland in 18po, and from then on, they embarked on a fourteen-year-long romantic relationship filled with emotional storms. This relationship had a profound impact on Constant's life. Madame Sta?l not only helped his political activities and influenced his political views but also inspired his literary passion. Constant's famous novel Adolphe is largely an autobiographical work describing his relationship with Madame Sta?l. In 1895, Constant followed Madame Sta?l to Paris and immediately became involved in French political life. He was a key figure in Madame Sta?l's salon, which had a significant influence not only in France but also across Europe. Together with Madame Sta?l, he vigorously defended the rule of the Thermidorians, criticized the counter-revolutionary royalists, and attacked the Jacobins from both the left and the right, who posed a threat to the moderate regime. Starting in 1796, Constant successively published a series of political treatises. Among the most important of these is On the Strength of the Present French Government and the Necessity of Its Support (1796). In this treatise, he strongly advocated "ending the revolution." He wrote, "I strongly desire to end this revolution because continuing it would harm freedom. This is also why I vigorously advocate strengthening our republic. All noble and great endeavors in the destiny of humanity are linked to the fate of the republic."