From Subject to Citizen

The Second Empire (1852-1870) is examined as a pivotal moment in the evolution of French political culture, marking the emergence of participatory democracy. Sudhir Hazareesingh explores the collaboration of diverse political thinkers who engaged an educated public on citizenship and political order. The 1860s are highlighted as an intellectually vibrant decade where various ideologies addressed decentralization, leading to a deeper understanding of communal freedom and civic cohesion amid the rise of nationalism in France.