Caesarism in the Post-Revolutionary Age

Book excerpt: This book is open access and available on www.bloomsburycollections.com. It is funded by Knowledge Unlatched. Debates about the legitimacy and 'essence' of political rule and the search for 'ideal' forms of government have been at the very heart of political thought ever since antiquity. Caesarism in the Post-Revolutionary Age explores the complex relationship between democracy and dictatorship from the 18th century onwards. More concretely, it assesses how democracy emerged as something compatible with dictatorship, both at the level of political thought and practice. Taking Caesarism – a political alternative somewhere between democracy and dictatorship – as its key concept, the book considers: * To what extent was Caesarism seen as a new post-revolutionary form of rule? * What were the flaws and perils, strengths and promises of Caesaristic regimes? * Can 19th-century Caesarism be characterised as a 'prelude' to 20th-century totalitarianism? * What is the legacy and ongoing appeal of Caesarism in the contemporary world? This study will be of value to anyone interested in modern political history, but also contemporary politics.