Joseph de Maistre
Savoyard philosopher and forefather of modern conservatism.
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Joseph de Maistre, a Savoyard lawyer, diplomat, and political philosopher, is primarily recognized as a foundational intellectual figure of modern conservatism and a prominent voice of the Counter-Enlightenment. Born in the Kingdom of Sardinia, he was a subject of the King of Piedmont–Sardinia, serving in the Savoy Senate, as ambassador to Russia, and as a minister of state in Turin. Maistre championed monarchism and rigid social hierarchy in the wake of the French Revolution, arguing that monarchy was both divinely sanctioned and the only stable form of government.
He blamed the rationalist rejection of Christianity for the Reign of Terror and the Revolution’s ensuing chaos, calling for the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy and ultimate papal authority in spiritual and temporal matters. Raised in Chambéry, Maistre was likely educated by Jesuits and belonged to a Catholic aristocratic confraternity that sat with condemned prisoners, exposing him to executions. Initially a liberal and Gallican supporter, he praised the American Revolution and was a member of a progressive Masonic lodge. He favored reform in France until the Estates-General merged the estates into a single assembly and the August Decrees were passed, after which he decisively opposed the Revolution.
When French revolutionary forces took Chambéry, he fled, eventually settling in Lausanne, where he began writing counter-revolutionary works. He later served as ambassador to Russia, converting some friends to Catholicism and composing his most influential political philosophy. After Napoleon’s defeat, he returned to Turin, serving as magistrate and minister until his death.
Lore & Background
Joseph de Maistre was a Savoyard lawyer, diplomat, and political philosopher, remembered as an intellectual forefather of modern conservatism. Born in Chambéry, then part of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, he came from a family of French and Italian origin; his father was a magistrate and senator who received the title of count. Maistre was likely educated by the Jesuits and belonged to both a Jesuit organization that held nine-day Catholic retreats and the Penitents Noirs, a Catholic aristocratic confraternity that sat with condemned criminals the night before their execution. After training in law at the University of Turin, he became a senator in 1787.
Initially a liberal who praised the American Revolution and supported reform in France, he turned decisively against the Revolution after the August Decrees of 1789. Fleeing the French invasion of Savoy in 1792, he began his career as a counter-revolutionary writer in Lausanne. He later served as ambassador to the Russian Empire from 1803 to 1817, where he wrote his most influential works, and returned to Turin as minister of state until his death in 1821. A key figure of the Counter-Enlightenment, he argued that rationalist rejection of Christianity caused the Reign of Terror, advocated for the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy, and insisted on the ultimate authority of the Pope in both spiritual and temporal matters.
Reader's Guide
Maistre's significance lies in his role as a leading counter-revolutionary thinker and a key figure of the Counter-Enlightenment. He argued that the rationalist rejection of Christianity caused the Reign of Terror and chaos following the French Revolution.
He regarded monarchy as a divinely sanctioned institution and the only stable form of government, calling for the restoration of the House of Bourbon and ultimate papal authority. Despite his preference for monarchy, he acknowledged republics could be superior depending on circumstances and admired the U.S. government and the British constitution. His legacy endures as a foundational influence on modern conservatism and a critic of Enlightenment rationalism.
Did You Know?
- Maistre's younger brother Xavier became a major general and writer.
- Maistre was critical of revolutionary movements, with his primary critiques directed at the French Revolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Joseph de Maistre's core political beliefs?
He championed absolute monarchy, rigid social hierarchy, and the supreme authority of the Catholic Church as the proper ordering principles for society, positioning himself firmly against the liberal and egalitarian currents of the Enlightenment.
Where was Joseph de Maistre from and what was his profession?
He was born in Chambéry in the Duchy of Savoy, then part of the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, and worked as a lawyer, diplomat, and political philosopher throughout his career.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Joseph de Maistre (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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