Liberalism after the Revolution: The Intellectual Foundations of the Greek State, c. 1830–1880

This book explores how nineteenth-century Greek liberalism engaged in reforms after independence from the Ottomans, challenging Western-centric histories and preserving its radical edge.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 311 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The process of creating a new state is a complex and multifaceted endeavor that involves a range of ideas, concepts, and practices. Authorities turn to various sources to produce and legitimize a state's legal and political system, including historical precedents, cultural traditions, and international law. In the case of a state emerging through revolution, the challenge is to obliterate the legacy of the empire that preceded it while also establishing a new identity and governing structure.

This book explores these questions by examining nineteenth-century Greek liberalism and its efforts to reform the Greek state after independence from the Ottoman Empire (c. 1830-1880). Liberalism after the Revolution offers an original perspective on this dynamic period in European history, challenging the assumptions of Western-centric histories of nineteenth-century liberalism and its relationship with the state.

Michalis Sotiropoulos demonstrates that in this European periphery, liberals did not simply transform liberalism into a practical mode of statecraft. Rather, they preserved liberalism's radical edge at a time when it was losing its appeal elsewhere in Europe. The book explores the ways in which Greek liberals sought to establish a democratic, constitutional government that would protect individual rights and promote economic development.

It also examines the challenges and contradictions that emerged during this period, such as the struggle between liberal ideals and traditional cultural values, the tensions between nationalism and internationalism, and the conflicts between different factions within the liberal movement. Through a detailed analysis of political, social, and economic developments, Liberalism after the Revolution sheds light on the complex and multifaceted process of state-building in nineteenth-century Europe.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of nineteenth-century liberalism and its role in shaping the modern world. It challenges the assumptions of Western-centric histories and offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between liberalism, the state, and the legacy of empire. By examining the case of nineteenth-century Greek liberalism, it demonstrates the ways in which liberal ideas and practices can be adapted to different contexts and environments, and the importance of preserving liberalism's radical edge in the face of challenges and contradictions.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009254687