Courses

Alexis de Tocqueville probably understood the dynamics of revolutions better than anyone before or since. He was an observer of the French 1830 revolution, a participant observer of the 1848 revolution, and arguably the most insightful analyst of the revolution of 1789 and its precursors. In the class we shall engage in a close reading of his writing on the ancient regime and on the first year of the Revolution. We shall also consider some recent writings on France before 1789 and on revolution, notably the Instructor's recent book.