France and the Republic / A Record of Things Seen and Learned in the French Provinces During the 'Centennial' Year 1889

Name: France and the Republic / A Record of Things Seen and Learned in the French Provinces During the 'Centennial' Year 1889
Author: William Henry Hurlbert

By William Henry Hurlbert

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History - European History - Modern (1750+)Politics

About This Book

The author records travels through the French provinces during the centennial exposition year and combines on-the-ground reportage with political analysis, tracing how parliamentary usurpation, anticlerical policy, and centralized Parisian power shape republican institutions. He contrasts the weak executive with stronger hereditary or presidential models, examines electioneering, patronage of public employment, and fiscal strains, and recounts episodes that reveal provincial diversity and urban-provincial tensions. The narrative assesses risks to stability, including popular movements and corrupting influences, and contemplates possible outcomes ranging from social reform to a restored constitutional monarchy.

About the Author

William Henry Hurlbert

William Henry Hurlbert was an American journalist and author known for his insightful observations on European society and politics during the late 19th century. His notable works include "Ireland Under Coercion: The Diary of an American," where he documented his experiences and reflections on the political climate in Ireland, and "France and the Republic," which captures his impressions of France during the 1889 Centennial. Hurlbert's writings provide a unique perspective on the social and political issues of his time, making significant contributions to the understanding of both Irish and French contexts.