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Old Regime and the Revolution

Old Regime and the Revolution

Written by: Alexis de Tocqueville
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 Dive into a thoughtful and philosophical exploration of the French Revolution and the intricacies of the Old Regime. In this profound work, Alexis de Tocqueville meticulously captures the essence of French political society under the monarchy, revealing the true sources of power and their impact on the daily lives of individuals. He examines the conditions of various social classes, including the nobility, clergy, middle class, common people, and peasantry, highlighting what set France apart from its European neighbors and why a revolution was not just likely, but inevitable. The insights presented are based on previously unpublished manuscript records from the old intendants offices and the Council of State, illustrating the depth of research that Tocqueville undertook, with some chapters taking him an entire year to complete. Tocquevilles preface acknowledges the emotional weight of his subject matter, as he reflects on the society of the Old Regime while remaining acutely aware of the contemporary issues of his time. The work is rich with pointed critiques of the Empire and Napoleon, offering sharp satire and compelling arguments against the prevailing powers. – Summary by Harper & Brothers, PublishersCopyright Politics, Philosophy, Religion Political Science Politics & Government Science Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • 028 - Preface Version 2

    028 - Preface Version 2
    Feb 9 2026
    Dive into a thoughtful and philosophical exploration of the French Revolution and the intricacies of the Old Regime. In this profound work, Alexis de Tocqueville meticulously captures the essence of French political society under the monarchy, revealing the true sources of power and their impact on the daily lives of individuals. He examines the conditions of various social classes, including the nobility, clergy, middle class, common people, and peasantry, highlighting what set France apart from its European neighbors and why a revolution was not just likely, but inevitable. The insights presented are based on previously unpublished manuscript records from the old intendants offices and the Council of State, illustrating the depth of research that Tocqueville undertook, with some chapters taking him an entire year to complete. Tocquevilles preface acknowledges the emotional weight of his subject matter, as he reflects on the society of the Old Regime while remaining acutely aware of the contemporary issues of his time. The work is rich with pointed critiques of the Empire and Napoleon, offering sharp satire and compelling arguments against the prevailing powers. – Summary by Harper & Brothers, Publishers
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    22 mins
  • 027 - Appendix

    027 - Appendix
    Feb 9 2026
    Dive into a thoughtful and philosophical exploration of the French Revolution and the intricacies of the Old Regime. In this profound work, Alexis de Tocqueville meticulously captures the essence of French political society under the monarchy, revealing the true sources of power and their impact on the daily lives of individuals. He examines the conditions of various social classes, including the nobility, clergy, middle class, common people, and peasantry, highlighting what set France apart from its European neighbors and why a revolution was not just likely, but inevitable. The insights presented are based on previously unpublished manuscript records from the old intendants offices and the Council of State, illustrating the depth of research that Tocqueville undertook, with some chapters taking him an entire year to complete. Tocquevilles preface acknowledges the emotional weight of his subject matter, as he reflects on the society of the Old Regime while remaining acutely aware of the contemporary issues of his time. The work is rich with pointed critiques of the Empire and Napoleon, offering sharp satire and compelling arguments against the prevailing powers. – Summary by Harper & Brothers, Publishers
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • 026 - How the Revolution sprang spontaneously out of the preceding Facts

    026 - How the Revolution sprang spontaneously out of the preceding Facts
    Feb 9 2026
    Dive into a thoughtful and philosophical exploration of the French Revolution and the intricacies of the Old Regime. In this profound work, Alexis de Tocqueville meticulously captures the essence of French political society under the monarchy, revealing the true sources of power and their impact on the daily lives of individuals. He examines the conditions of various social classes, including the nobility, clergy, middle class, common people, and peasantry, highlighting what set France apart from its European neighbors and why a revolution was not just likely, but inevitable. The insights presented are based on previously unpublished manuscript records from the old intendants offices and the Council of State, illustrating the depth of research that Tocqueville undertook, with some chapters taking him an entire year to complete. Tocquevilles preface acknowledges the emotional weight of his subject matter, as he reflects on the society of the Old Regime while remaining acutely aware of the contemporary issues of his time. The work is rich with pointed critiques of the Empire and Napoleon, offering sharp satire and compelling arguments against the prevailing powers. – Summary by Harper & Brothers, Publishers
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
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