The relationship between the different types of suffrage and the creation (or construction) of democratic institutions in France from 1789 to 1870

Résumé du document

From 1789 to 1870 in France, not less than eight constitutions and twelve regimes followed one after another. France also experienced all types of suffrages, from the most restricted one of the Ancient Regime, to the universal manhood suffrage. This period is undeniably crucial to one who aims to understand the slow evolution of the idea of democracy in the French people's mindset. Indeed, if the idea of democracy had an uninterrupted, quiet and progressive evolution in the mind of most French people, the democratization of the institutions happened in a rather uneven way. Although this definition is evolving during the period studied, democratic institutions are mainly characterized by the ability for the people as citizens to participate to their creation and amendment, and to the shaping of the State's policy, directly or by the election of representatives. The democratic nature of the institutions is as a result highly linked to the type of suffrage that is established. But if the universal suffrage is necessary to the construction of a democratic regime, it is not enough. From 1789 de 1870, what is the relationship between the different types of suffrage and the construction of democratic institutions in France?
In the fist part, we will see that from 1789 to 1814, the universal suffrage is starting to be considered as necessary for the creation of a legitimate regime, whereas democracy doesn't make any consensus.

Extraits

[...] Although this definition is evolving during the period studied, democratic institutions are mainly characterized by the ability for the people as citizens to participate to their creation and amendment, and to the shaping of the State's policy, directly or by the election of representatives. The democratic nature of the institutions is as a result highly linked to the type of suffrage that is established. But if the universal suffrage is necessary to the construction of a democratic regime, it is not enough. From 1789 de 1870, what is the relationship between the different types of suffrage and the construction of democratic institutions in France? [...]

[...] This Chart, which is effectively applied only after the 100days cent jours, and the final abdication of Napoleon after the Waterloo's defeat, institutes a very restricted census suffrage. The House Representatives is elected by any male French who is at least 30 years of age and whose tax obligation is worth 300francs. Furthermore, the double vote system is adopted in 1820, and a second voice is awarded to people who pay the highest taxes. Indeed, if Louis 18th has aims to achieve a liberal compromise between the republicans, the conservatives and the moderated monarchists, his successor Charles 10th applies, from 1824 onwards a much more conservative policy. [...]

[...] Napoleon Bonaparte is considered by the people as a legitimate leader, because he brought an end to the concrete political and social problems that the French suffered from since the terror, and thanks to his military victories, which ended in the in the Amien's peace in Mai 1802. That being said, if all men older than 21 can answer the questions of the emperor by his vote, the universal suffrage is limited concerning the designation of the Representatives. Indeed, the citizens only indirectly contribute to the designation of the power owners. [...]

[...] The challenge is, for the redactors of the new constitution, to re- establish public order in France. For this reason, whereas the sovereignty is said to be possessed by universality of the citizens”, and although the members of the legislative councils are for the first time considered as representatives of the entire Nation, and not only the county where they were elected, the census suffrage that is established is even more restricted than the one applied in 1791. But the institutions respected a strict separation of the powers, dividing the legislative one in two councils. [...]

[...] As a conclusion, one can assert that in 1870, at the end of the second Empire, democracy is more respected in France than in 1789. But this evolution was clearly uneven. The study of all the twelve regimes that successively ruled France during that period demonstrates that non- democratic regimes, like the First Empire can have a universal voting system, whereas more democratic regimes, like the July monarchy don't. In other words, the relationship between the type of suffrage that is adopted and the relative democracy of the institution isn't simple. [...]