The State in Early Modern France, New Approaches to European History

- Illustrations : Non - Publisher's note :This major new textbook addresses fundamental questions about the nature of the state in early modern Europe through an analysis of the most important continental state, France. Professor Collins abandons the traditional formulation of the absolute monarchy, and presents in its place a state that evolved to meet the needs of the French elites., This major new book addresses the question, what is the state?, through an examination of the most important continental state of early modern Europe, France. Professor Collins combines a reinterpretation of early modern French society with a reevaluation of the French monarchical state, rejecting the absolute monarchy paradigm and offering in its place a more nuanced, balanced view of the monarchy. His revisionist focus is on the problems of the Old Regime within the context of their own political system.