Politics and Religion in Seventeenth-Century France

Politics and Religion in Seventeenth-Century France: A Study of Political Ideas from the Monarchomachs to Bayle, as Reflected in the Toleration Controversy explores the evolving and contested concept of toleration within the complex interplay of religion and politics during a pivotal era in French history. The book dissects how the term "toleration" held varied meanings, from philosophical ideals of true tolerance to legal and political expedients used by both Protestants and Catholics. It highlights how toleration was employed strategically by different factions, often serving as a facade for broader aims of achieving religious or political dominance.

The study delves into the nuanced role of toleration as a contentious point in political theory and practice, emphasizing its connection to sovereignty and statecraft. By tracing the debate from early Calvinist resistance to Richelieu’s manipulative peace formula, it reveals a pragmatic use of toleration to preserve temporary peace while fostering underlying intolerance. Ultimately, the work provides a critical examination of how ideas of religious freedom and state sovereignty were shaped by doctrinal conflicts and political exigencies, offering insights into the broader development of toleration as a key principle in modern political thought.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1960.