Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.4, 2018

The Debate about the Frankish Polity in French Intellectual Circles in the Eighteenth Century

(Abstract)

Tang Xiaoyan

Discussion of the Frankish political system began in the late Renaissance. Influenced by the humanism of the times, French scholars adopted the methods of historical criticism to expunge the mythical elements from previous narratives. The debate continued into the 18th century enlightenment, when thinkers of the time divided into aristocratic and royalist camps. The two sides held opposing views, but each defended its legitimacy on the basis of the history of antiquity. Thereafter, affected by the political developments of the mid-18th century, the debate was colored by enlightenment ideas of reason and the general will, making the divisions sharper. As the Third Estate entered the debate, the idea of historical legitimacy gradually yielded to enlightenment ideas of reason and the general will, ultimately resulting in the comprehensive rejection of the authority of history itself. The debate served as a prelude to the radicalism of the French revolution, providing rich intellectual and discourse resources for the overthrowing of the old system.