Cosmopolitan Ideal in the Age of Revolution and Reaction 1776 - 1832 (The Enlightenment World: Political and Intellectua History of the Long Eighteenth Century), The
Book Description
In an era when global connection feels both inevitable and fragile, this scholarly exploration reveals how European intellectuals first grappled with the profound question of what it means to be a citizen of the world. Michael Scrivener traces the emergence of a revolutionary mindset during the Enlightenment, when forward-thinking individuals began to see themselves as part of something larger than their immediate nations and social classes.
The journey begins in the refined atmosphere of elite salons, where cosmopolitan ideals first took root among intellectuals who dared to critique their own societies. As these conversations moved into coffee houses and public spaces, a broader vision emerged of human identity that transcended traditional boundaries. This wasn't merely an academic exercise, but a lived attempt to create genuine community across cultural and national divides.
Yet this noble experiment faced its greatest test during the turbulent revolutionary wars that swept Europe. Scrivener reveals how rising nationalism ultimately challenged and transformed these cosmopolitan dreams. The book's final section examines how second-generation Romantic thinkers courageously resisted nationalist fervor even as it gained unstoppable momentum.
Drawing on feminist and post-colonial perspectives often overlooked in traditional Enlightenment studies, this work offers fresh insights into humanity's ongoing struggle to balance local identity with global consciousness. For contemporary readers seeking to understand our current challenges with international cooperation and cultural understanding, these historical lessons provide valuable perspective on the eternal tension between belonging and transcendence.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 279 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Cultural Policy
- ✓ Explore Cosmopolitisme
- ✓ Explore Wereldburgerschap
- ✓ Explore Siècle des Lumières
- ✓ Explore Romantisme
- ✓ Explore Histoire
- ✓ Explore Public Policy
- ✓ Learn about the path to enlightenment
