Swann, Julian (2006) Les etats généraux de Bourgogne: un gouvernement provincial au siècle des lumières. Revue d'histoire moderne et contemporaine 53 (2), pp. 35-69. ISSN 0048-8003.
Abstract
Historians traditionally regard the provincial states of Burgundy in the eighteenth century as a mere medieval heritage, or sometimes describe them as the subjects of an absolute monarchy, submitted to an all-powerful steward. This article intends to propose a new interpretation, and to show that the provincial states constitute an institution which is still alive, enjoys a growing power and is engaged in an effective collaboration with the State. Building on a long tradition of autonomy and a rapidly developing provincial bureaucracy, states managed the local taxation system, were responsible for building roads and canals, encouraged trade, agriculture and the arts, and many other activites. Nevertheless, despite their relative efficiency and a modest reform program, states were no longer representative of society and lacked popular legitimacy to survive the crisis of 1789.
Metadata
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| School: | Birkbeck Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Historical Studies |
| Depositing User: | Sarah Hall |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Apr 2017 12:04 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Aug 2023 17:32 |
| URI: | https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/18567 |
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