Lamberts, E: The Struggle with Leviathan

01. Auflage 2016
ISBN: 978-94-6270-070-3
Verlag: Leuven University Press

Buch, Englisch, Band 18, 344 Seiten, Format (B × H): 170 mm x 238 mm, Gewicht: 670 g

Reihe: KADOC-Studies on Religion, Culture and Society

A panoramic picture of international politics and the formation of the modern State
The opposition to the omnipotence of the State – as symbolised by Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651) – had a significant impact on the political organisation of European society. A liberal strategy intended to provide a protective legal status for individual citizens, whereas a social strategy aimed to strengthen the social fabric to counterbalance the power of the State. Gradually both strategies became interwoven.

The Struggle with Leviathan pays special attention to the social strategy, developed by conservative and ecclesiastical circles against the omnipotence of the State, and is structured around the fascinating biography of the Austrian diplomat Gustav von Blome, a grandson of Metternich and an important opponent of Bismarck. He proved to be a transitional figure between aristocratic conservatism and Christian democracy, which had a great influence on European integration after 1945.

Besides Blome, several other dramatis personae – statesmen, prelates, political and social activists – are featured. As a result the book reads like a compelling narrative. At the same time, it offers a broadly sketched historical fresco of international politics and the gradual formation of the modern State.

The original Dutch edition of this book, Het gevecht met Leviathan, has been highly praised in the Dutch and Flemish press, and was awarded the biennial international Arenberg Prize for European History and Culture.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Lamberts, E.

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Geschichte
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politikwissenschaft Allgemein Politische Theorie, Politische Philosophie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Mentalitäts- und Sozialgeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Prologue

The Shadow of Metternich
'A special friendship'
'The perfect exemplar of French chivalry'
The feudal lords of Salzau
The apprentice statesman
The naked angel
The coachman of Europe
The last notes of the Concert
The white fairy
The long path to Rome
The resurgence of Italy

Bismarck's Move
The struggle for Germany
The Schleswig-Holstein hotbed
The Convention of Gastein
'The world is collapsing'
Leviathan redivivus
The Catholic Church as a counterpower

The Catholic Church in Battle Mode
The sweet fruits of freedom
The temptations of power
The Pope's crusaders
The legitimists in the ranks
Flirting with capitalism
The canonization of the papacy

Catholic Defence
The Black International
The future of Europe
The Geneva Committee
Violette
The Black International
The nine muses
A failed restoration
In the Vatican's grip
The innominato
The defence against Leviathan
'The period of despair'
A new direction

Social Defence
The Fribourg Union
An Arcadian existence
The social aristocrats
An international network
The Fribourg Union
A society marked by solidarity
The first harvest
Rerum Novarum
The early stages of Christian Democracy
The hermit of Bellagio

Epilogue
Adenauer in Cadenabbia
Bibliopraphy
Acknowledgements
Index

Über Autor(innen)

Lamberts, E.
Emiel Lamberts (1941), professor emeritus at KU Leuven, has done extensive research in the field of modern political and religious European history. His most important publications include Christian Democracy in the European Union (1945–1995), The Black International (1870–1878) and the co-edited History of the Low Countries.