What is French liberalism?

―Summary of previous research over the past 30 years―

Abstract

This article goes over the historiography of nineteenth-century French liberalism over the last 30 years. This period, dominated by post-Cold War logic, was spent on seeking liberalism for the era of liberalism, commensurate with the age after Communism. Consequently, politicized research that reflected well the political culture of individual countries emerged and I demonstrate that this was particularly the case with America and France. The summary of previous research therefore reveals that French liberalism is not restricted to nineteenth-century France. It simultaneously results from a constant dialogue between the past and a quest for liberty at the present time. For this reason, it carries with it the long-lasting tradition of ‘philosophical history’ that had started with the French Revolution.