In this discussion, historian Ruth Scurr, a biographer of Maximilien Robespierre, explores the complexities of this pivotal figure in the French Revolution. She delves into Robespierre's rise within the Jacobin Club and his radical beliefs influenced by thinkers like Rousseau. The conversation also highlights the role of street violence, including the September Massacres, and the tensions between revolutionary ideals and the brutal realities of leadership. Scurr paints a vivid picture of a man striving to reconcile virtue with the chaos of revolution.
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Robespierre's Early Life
Robespierre, orphaned at a young age, dedicated himself to becoming a lawyer.
He focused on defending underdogs and fighting miscarriages of justice.
insights INSIGHT
Rousseau's Influence
Rousseau's ideas, especially from "Emile," deeply influenced Robespierre.
He embraced the concept of the natural goodness of man, challenging the traditional Catholic view.
insights INSIGHT
Opposition to Capital Punishment
As a lawyer, Robespierre opposed cruel and unusual punishments, including capital punishment.
His stance was rooted in his concern for social justice and the disparity in punishments based on privilege.
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Publié en 1761, 'Julie ou la nouvelle Héloïse' est un roman épistolaire qui raconte l'histoire passionnée et tragique de Julie d'Étanges et de son précepteur, Saint-Preux. Le roman explore les thèmes de l'amour, de l'authenticité, et de la vertu, tout en critiquant les conventions sociales de l'époque. Inspiré par l'histoire d'Héloïse et Abélard, Rousseau y développe ses idées philosophiques sur la moralité et l'émotion humaine.
Émile
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Dans 'Émile', Rousseau propose un modèle éducatif visant à cultiver la bonté naturelle de l'enfant tout en l'intégrant à la société. L'ouvrage est divisé en cinq livres, suivant le développement d'Émile de la naissance à l'âge adulte. Rousseau y aborde également l'éducation des filles à travers le personnage de Sophie, soulignant les différences de rôle entre les sexes dans la société de son époque.
The Social Contract
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
In 'The Social Contract', Jean-Jacques Rousseau outlines a theory of government where the legitimacy of political authority stems from the consent of the governed. The book begins with the famous line 'Man is born free, but he is everywhere in chains,' highlighting the tension between natural freedom and the constraints of societal laws. Rousseau argues that a legitimate state is formed when citizens enter into a social contract, surrendering some of their natural rights in exchange for civil rights and the protection of the general will. The general will, a collective idea of the common good, is central to Rousseau's theory, and he advocates for a system where the people, as the sovereign, make decisions directly and where laws ensure liberty and equality. The work has been influential in shaping modern political thought and has played a significant role in the French Revolution and the development of democratic principles[2][3][5].
For our second episode on the people and ideas behind the French Revolution David talks to historian and biographer Ruth Scurr about the man who came to embody the revolution in all its radicalism and all its terror: Maximilien Robespierre. Who was he and how did he rise so fast once the upheaval was underway? How did he harness the power of the Jacobin Club? How did he marshal the violence of the streets? What did he believe in? And what made him think it was possible to reconcile virtue with terror?
Out now: a special bonus episode for PPF+ subscribers on King Donald The First: David explores the arguments being made in 2025 for the restoration of monarchy in America. Who’s making them and why? What on earth are they thinking? Sign up now to get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus
Next time: French Revolution 3: Paine
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