Abstract
Before the upheavals of the Revolution of 1789, there was broad sympathy for, and considerable interest in, limiting the powers of ministers and the State. A social reorganization was envisaged in which the role of informed public opinion would increase and the possibility of arbitrary government would be eliminated, or at least reduced.
I find it absurd that you set against me the opinion of the people of Westphalia … . If you listen to the opinion of the people, you will do nothing at all. If the people refuse their own happiness, the people are anarchic, they are guilty, and punishment is the first duty of a prince. Napoleon to Jerôme
Napoleon to Jerôme
I am not so stupid as to place the interest of the inhabitants before serving Your Majesty.
Junot to Napoleon 14 February 1808
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© 2012 Fernando Dores Costa
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Costa, F.D. (2012). Political Paradoxes in Napoleonic Europe: The Portuguese Case. In: Broers, M., Hicks, P., Guimerá, A. (eds) The Napoleonic Empire and the New European Political Culture. War, Culture and Society, 1750–1850. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137271396_29
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137271396_29
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
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