Conclusion Une Philosophie Engagée

Liberalism emerged in France during the late-1790s to deal with the difficult problems faced by the first French Republic. I call it “liberalism” because people like Benjamin Constant and Germaine de Stael began to refer to “liberal” principles in politics, and because they articulated concerns that have remained central to “liberalism” ever since. The specific spurs to their ruminations about modern politics were the voracious nature of revolutionary politics and, especially, the corrosive effects of the Terror on both institutions and culture. They appreciated how difficult it was going to be in the modern postrevolutionary age to protect personal liberty while restoring political stability. They appreciated the complexity of the cultural, juridical, and political world the Revolution had created. And, they were sensitive to the impact of this complex world on the individual.