Bonapartism

Bonapartism
   An ideological tradition of nineteenth-century France based on the perpetuation of the ideas and the mythical national status of Napoleon I. Bonapartism attempted simultaneously to represent national glory, preserve the achievements of the Revolution, and to affirm the principle of authority. Influenced by the memory of the murderous anarchy of the Terror, it nonetheless sought to square democracy with order by offering leadership to appeal to the whole nation, as opposed to political parties and parliamentary factions who sought power for their own benefit. Bonapartists therefore often advocated the abolition of class and privilege, whether or not they meant it, and promoted a social order based on the equality of all men and social mobility open to talent and ambition.
   The Bonapartist ideal was of a charismatic leader capable of unifying the nation by force of personality. Because such leadership was in short supply, Bonapartists adapted to party politics. They became synonymous in the eyes of their opponents with populist authoritarianism, hatred of the Bourbon restoration, the corruption and deceit of Louis Napoleon, and the mischievous use of plebiscites in reactionary causes.
   FURTHER READING:
    Fisher, H.A.L. Bonapartism Oxford: Clarendon 1908;
    Hazareesingh, Sudhir. The Legend of Napoleon. London: Granta, 2004;
    Zeldin, Theordore. France 1848-1945: Politics and Anger. New York: Oxford University Press, 1979.
   CARL CAVANAGH HODGE

Encyclopedia of the Age of Imperialism, 1800–1914. 2014.

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  • bonapartism — BONAPARTÍSM s.n. 1. Formă de dictatură apărută în Franţa, în timpul lui Napoleon I. 2. Ataşament faţă de bonapartism (1) sau faţă de conducerea lui Napoleon Bonaparte. – Din fr. bonapartisme. Trimis de valeriu, 21.03.2003. Sursa: DEX 98 … …   Dicționar Român

  • Bonapartism — Bo na*part ism, n. The policy of Bonaparte or of the Bonapartes. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bonapartism — [bō′nə pärt΄iz΄əm] n. 1. support of the Bonaparte dynasty in France 2. the methods, doctrines, etc. of any military political dictator like Napoleon Bonaparte Bonapartist n. * * * See Bonapartist. * * * …   Universalium

  • Bonapartism — [bō′nə pärt΄iz΄əm] n. 1. support of the Bonaparte dynasty in France 2. the methods, doctrines, etc. of any military political dictator like Napoleon Bonaparte Bonapartist n …   English World dictionary

  • Bonapartism — In French political history, Bonapartism has two meanings. In a strict sense, this term refers to people who aimed to restore the French Empire under the House of Bonaparte, the Corsican family of Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I of France) and his …   Wikipedia

  • Bonapartism —    This term derives from Karl Marx’s analysis of the rule of Louis Bonaparte who became Napoleon III after seizing power in France in 1851. In his The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852) Marx argued that the different warring classes… …   Historical dictionary of Marxism

  • bonapartism — |bōnə|pärd.ˌizəm, pȧd.ˌ , ärˌtiz , ȧˌtiz , ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun ( s) Usage: usually capitalized Etymology: probably from French bonapartisme, from Napoléon Bonaparte (Napoleon I) died 1821 French emperor + French isme ism 1. : the policy …   Useful english dictionary

  • Bonapartism (epithet) — For supporters of the dynastic claims of the Bonaparte family, see Bonapartist. Bonapartism is often defined as a political expression in the vocabulary of Marxism and Leninism, deriving from the career of Napoleon Bonaparte. Karl Marx was a… …   Wikipedia

  • Bonapartism — noun Date: 1815 1. support of the French emperors Napoleon I, Napoleon III, or their dynasty 2. a political movement associated chiefly with authoritarian rule usually by a military leader ostensibly supported by a popular …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Bonapartism — noun a) The practices of b) A populist alliance between the bourgeoisie and the lumpenproletariat characterized by strong leadership and conservative nationalism …   Wiktionary

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