Abstract
"Explore the complexities of France's parliamentary monarchy under Louis XVIII and Charles X through Joseph Barthélémy's insightful work. Discover how the limited monarchy's framework, with its broad powers granted to the King, challenges the notion of a democratic regime. This excerpt reveals the intricate dynamics between the monarch, ministers, and the Chamber, shedding light on the Restoration period's political landscape. Uncover the nuances of a system where the King's authority prevails, and the Chamber's role is confined to cooperation. Dive into the historical context and analysis that illuminates the tensions between royal power and parliamentary representation, shaping the course of French constitutional history."
Extract
[...] A mission that one can imagine to be complex, and for which one can understand that the King has no vocation to engage directly. Clearly, the ministers therefore represent the will of the King and not their own in their mission within the executive and in front of the Chambers. This submission to the King is expressed, just as much by the nature of their mission, by the fact that its continuity depends on the will of the monarch. A monarch alone guarantor of confidence or distrust in his government The ministers have another reason to follow the King's instructions to the letter. [...]
[...] Bibliography BODINEAU, Pierre, and VERPEAUX, Michel, The Emergence of the Parliamentary Regime (1815-1870), Pierre Bodineau ed., Constitutional History of France, Presses Universitaires de France, 2016 DEMIER, Francis, France under the Restoration (1814-1830), Gallimard, 2012 LAQUIEZE, Alain, The origins of the parliamentary regime in France, 1814-1848, Presses Universitaires de France, 2002 RIALS, Stéphane, Ideas, institutions and political societies in France from the Restoration to the beginnings of the Third Republic. In: École pratique des hautes études. 4th section, historical and philological sciences. [...]
[...] Back in Paris after an exile of 26 years, he then intends to win the confidence of the French tired of long years of war and political instability. However, this statement is very ambiguous: does the Count of Artois mean that the gains of the Revolution will be preserved, at least the most symbolic, or on the contrary, the Count being known for his conservatism, the absence of change would mean a return to the initial situation - absolute Monarchy? [...]
[...] Barthélémy implies that in the France of the Limited Monarchy, politics is far from being established in the easiest way. He thus evokes, in a turn of phrase that almost suggests that this case may be frequent, the way in which ministers could react 'when the Chamber, by an absolute refusal of cooperation, made the government impossible'. This sentence shows at the same time what Louis XVIII expects a priori from the Chamber, namely a cooperation, therefore a support of principle by the King's ministers whatever the subject of the debate; and that this can not only find it pertinent to refuse it, and - contrary to a situation in which the Chamber would not have power - make the government impossible. [...]
[...] This state of affairs illustrates well the real nature of the limited Monarchy. Parliamentary in the sense that a bicameral Parliament is in function, it remains very centered around the King who continues to hold the essential powers. In this sense, and because the King can even consider going back on the 'granting' of parliamentarism that he has accepted, it seems particularly doubtful that one can speak of a truly parliamentary and constitutional system to characterize the regime. However, it is worth recalling in what context the limited Monarchy is established. [...]
