Synopses & Reviews
In a work of unusual ambition and rigorous comparison, Roberto Romani considers the concept of "national character" in the intellectual histories of Britain and France. Perceptions of collective mentalities influenced a variety of political and economic debates, ranging from anti-absolutist polemic in eighteenth-century France to appraisals of socialism in Edwardian Britain. Romani argues that the eighteenth-century notion of "national character", with its stress on climate and government, evolved into a concern with the virtues of "public spirit" irrespective of national traits, in parallel with the establishment of representative institutions on the Continent.
Review
"The content of the book is dense and detailed...a significant contribution..." American Historical Review"Romani explores the longevity and relative constancy of stereotypical views of "national character" and their influence on political and economic discussions in Britain and France from the Enlightenment to the 20th century. This provocative, erudite, and well-crafted work of traditional intellectual history well interest all scholars of national identity and political theory." Choice"The work shows a good understanding of the work of a vast number of modern theorists and an impressive array of scholarship." Philosophy in Review
Synopsis
Despite its centrality in European thought, this is the first treatment of national character in intellectual history. Romani considers a distinction between ânational characterâas a static and stereotype-laden concept, and âpublic spiritâas a notion suggesting the necessity of certain qualities to operate free institutions. He argues that the contrast between these assessments of collective dispositions still influences our culture. Major authors of the period (including Montesquieu, Voltaire, Hume, Burke, Tocqueville, Spencer, and Durkheim) are considered, amounting to a substantial reinterpretation of a central strand in post-Enlightenment European thought.
Synopsis
Analysis of the concept of ânational characterâin the intellectual histories of Britain and France.
About the Author
Roberto Romani is Research Associate at the Centre for History and Economics, King's College, Cambridge.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. France: 1. All Montesquieuâs sons: the place of esprit général, caractère national, and mÅurs in French political philosophy, 1748 1789; 2. After the Revolution: Staël on political morality; 3. From republicanism to industrialism and national character: Melchiorre Gioja, Charles Dupin and Continental political economy, 1800 1848; 4. The French Restoration dispute over mores and Tocqueville; Part II. Great Britain: 5. Between Whiggism and the science of manners: Britain, 1750 1800; 6. British views on Irish national character, 1800 1846; Part III: 7. The demise of John Bull: social sciences in Britain, 1850 1914; 8. Durkheimâs collective representation and their background; 9. Socializing public spirit, 1870 1914; Conclusion; Index.