New Books in History Matthijs Lok, "Europe Against Revolution: Conservatism, Enlightenment, and the Making of the Past" (Cambridge UP, 2023)
Jan 12, 2026
In this discussion, Matthijs Lok, a Senior Lecturer in Modern European History at the University of Amsterdam, delves into the complex interplay between conservatism and the Enlightenment. He explores how counter-revolutionary thinkers framed European identity amidst fears of nationalism and global changes. Lok illuminates how both revolutionaries and counter-revolutionaries vied for Enlightenment ideals. He also discusses the paradoxical use of Enlightenment rhetoric, touching on topics like empire, colonialism, and the concept of a European Republic, offering insights into today's political landscape.
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Europe Decline Is An Old Political Trope
- The trope of European decline dates back to the eighteenth century and was often blamed on Enlightenment changes.
- Counter-revolutionaries paired decline narratives with concrete political programs to 'regenerate' Europe.
Europe As A Historical Continent
- 'Historical Europeanism' framed Europe as the product of slow institutional development, distinct from empires.
- Counter-revolutionaries argued the French Revolution interrupted that gradual historical progress.
Enlightenment Was Politically Contested
- Enlightenment ideas were contested and claimed by both revolutionaries and counter-revolutionaries around 1800.
- Conservatives redefined a 'right' Enlightenment emphasizing moderation, history, and religion against radical secularism.
