Modern society and democracy: liberalism, republicanism and the origins of modernity

Abstract

In an era in which liberal and republican values are in crisis, we wish to trace the genealogy of the beginnings of modern political thought (15th-18th centuries) by studying the relationship of the new liberal spirit with the rebirth of ancient republican ideals and its influences on the ideal of democracy. The Cambridge School has, in our opinion, emphasised an excessive contrast between the two schools of thought which were shaped by a continual dialogue. Thus, civic humanism was not simply a revival of the ancient ideals of the virtue of the citizen; conversely, the new individualism that emerged represented a new form of interaction between the citizen and the common good. This study will be based on four major thematic and chronological areas in which our teams have expertise: Florentine civic humanism (15th-16th centuries), the challenging of monarchical authority in France during the Wars of Religion (16th century), the British Revolutions (17th century), the birth of political economy (18th century). Two teams of seven researchers will meet on two separate occasions for two symposia, in Lyon and in Sao Paulo. These symposia will lead to a joint bilingual publication. This publication will require the assistance of a postdoctoral researcher (6 months). Concurrently, two researchers from Lyon will be invited for a 15-day period to Sao Paulo and two researchers from Sao Paulo to Lyon. Exchanges between doctoral candidates and master's students will also be encouraged. (AU)