Running Head: FRENCH EVOLUTION IDEOLOGIES

French Evolution Ideologies

Students Name
Institution Affiliation

FRENCH EVOLUTION IDEOLOGIES

Introduction
The article denoted that there were three steps in the French revolution that brought the
people to the forefront of politics. He considered that the revolution set a model for later
revolutions and changed the political dimension or map of Europe forever. The author also stated
that intellectuals were there creating social change. Philosophers such as Voltaire, Locke,
Montesquieu and Rousseau brought the spirit of nobility by informing the masses and improving
their intellect.
Overall Summation
Montesquieu: The author considered that the mind claimed that constitutional monarchy
was one of the best systems of the government for the individual who prized freedom. He also
acknowledged that he supports the division of countries based on the center of power.
Montesquieu believed that the revolution offered permanent checks and balances by believing
that freedom was unconstrained in undertaking what one chooses to handle as it as the law
supports it. His ideas influenced both Honor Gabriel Riqueti and compte de Mirabeau one of the
leading revolutionists.
Rousseau: The authors depicts him as one who denoted the French Revolution as a
furnished revolutionary disclosure. This intellect also stated that social contract expounded the
Republicans theories. He said that people could only be set free by the society if they ruled
themselves out. He also recommended that the cult of civil religion be created in place of
Christianity.
Voltaire/Locke: Voltaire was inspired by Locke hence they shared the same values and
arguments about French Revolution. They were attracted to political ideas if philosophers such
as Francis Bacon; he proclaimed the doctrine that science could support individuals. Voltaire and

FRENCH EVOLUTION IDEOLOGIES

Locke second the enlarged sovereign right of power at the expense of the rights of the church,
courts, and Parliament. Locke also developed the doctrine of enlightened absolutism; in the
imperial phase. They both considered that the independence of the country is in the hands of the
monarch. Voltaire is proclaimed to be the servant of English philosophers who never cared for
democracy since he considered that most people were hopelessly enlightened.

Author's Assertion on Leadership Models

I agree that change in the leadership model means that there will be a change in the
ideologies. Any change in leadership model suggests a different approach to governance and
management of such undertaking (French Revolution). It is evident that if the philosophers were
able to interest a greater part of the day in researching on various type of leadership models, then
there could be various ideologies on the French revolution. It is considered that better leadership
models can impact reasoning hence chance he ideology of how the intellectual would link about
leadership and governance as opposed to recent thoughts on the same.
Napoleon and Imperial Phase
A content that Cranstons was in order when he said that Napoleon distanced himself
from ideals of science and freedom in the imperial phase. He considered the king as the only
person of the time that took the ideas of Voltaire. However, he also altered the Voltaires theory
of enlightened absolutism in a way that even Voltaire could not accept. Cranston ideology on the
king was compelling because it had a science of lack of leadership skills in it.
Conclusion

FRENCH EVOLUTION IDEOLOGIES

I consider that the article was credible because it compared the past civil wars to the
contemporary political tensions. It also explains the virtue of having a good leadership model
because it not only transforms reasoning but also changes democracy ideologies.