Justin Krause 64317390 HSY2601 Assignment 1 (745559)
Liberal democracy is a government form where an elected body makes decisions for its
people. These decisions take the needs and wellbeing of its people into account1. In the
17th century, countries such as Britain and the United States of America had practiced
liberal democracy. This was not the case for France, as they had a monarchy, not
allowing for a liberal democracy to eventualize. In 1814, the Bourbon Monarchy was
established, which did not benefit the people of France. Following the Bourbon
monarchy was the French revolution, the July monarchy, the second revolution of 1848
and finally the second republic of 1852. Throughout each of these terms, there was a
vast amount of political instability, which will be studied in detail. This will show the path
that France experienced to gain a liberal democracy that would benefit its people.
The Bourbon monarchy was established in 1814 and years later in 1830. This charter
stated that the King and two parliament houses had legislative powers over France. The
King was the only one able to make laws, but these had to be accepted by the houses
of parament before introduced into law. The houses of parliament consisted of land-
owning men, meaning that there was no representation for the middle- and lower-class
citizens. Laws passed would not take these classes of French people into account as
the parament members would only be concerned about laws that will positively affect
their lives. The revolution of 1830 brought about hope for democratization for the
French people. When Louis XVII died, his brother had taken his thrown as king, but he
did not accept the Reform Act of 1832 and sided with the idea of having an absolutist
monarchy. In 1830, Charles X felt as if his power was under attack and banned free
press, dismembered the parliament, and excluded the middle class from being on the
voting roll. This meant that everything that was leading France to a liberal democracy
was now nonexistent and the political stability once experienced was now repeating
itself.
The French revolution which happened in 1830 did not bring about any positive
changes, unlike it had in Britain in 1688. Instead, France was battling with an unending
political instability as there were many protests and uprisings during this time. The
political instability was clearly seen when the King (Louis Philippe) had to ordeal
1 Author unknown, ‘Liberal Democracy’, www.encyclopedia.com [Accessed 30 May 2021].
Liberal democracy is a government form where an elected body makes decisions for its
people. These decisions take the needs and wellbeing of its people into account1. In the
17th century, countries such as Britain and the United States of America had practiced
liberal democracy. This was not the case for France, as they had a monarchy, not
allowing for a liberal democracy to eventualize. In 1814, the Bourbon Monarchy was
established, which did not benefit the people of France. Following the Bourbon
monarchy was the French revolution, the July monarchy, the second revolution of 1848
and finally the second republic of 1852. Throughout each of these terms, there was a
vast amount of political instability, which will be studied in detail. This will show the path
that France experienced to gain a liberal democracy that would benefit its people.
The Bourbon monarchy was established in 1814 and years later in 1830. This charter
stated that the King and two parliament houses had legislative powers over France. The
King was the only one able to make laws, but these had to be accepted by the houses
of parament before introduced into law. The houses of parliament consisted of land-
owning men, meaning that there was no representation for the middle- and lower-class
citizens. Laws passed would not take these classes of French people into account as
the parament members would only be concerned about laws that will positively affect
their lives. The revolution of 1830 brought about hope for democratization for the
French people. When Louis XVII died, his brother had taken his thrown as king, but he
did not accept the Reform Act of 1832 and sided with the idea of having an absolutist
monarchy. In 1830, Charles X felt as if his power was under attack and banned free
press, dismembered the parliament, and excluded the middle class from being on the
voting roll. This meant that everything that was leading France to a liberal democracy
was now nonexistent and the political stability once experienced was now repeating
itself.
The French revolution which happened in 1830 did not bring about any positive
changes, unlike it had in Britain in 1688. Instead, France was battling with an unending
political instability as there were many protests and uprisings during this time. The
political instability was clearly seen when the King (Louis Philippe) had to ordeal
1 Author unknown, ‘Liberal Democracy’, www.encyclopedia.com [Accessed 30 May 2021].
