Maistre Joseph Series

A Savoyard lawyer, diplomat, writer, and philosopher, he was the most influential spokesman for hierarchical political systems in the period immediately following the French Revolution. Despite his close ties to France, he remained a loyal subject of the King of Sardinia, serving in various capacities. Maistre argued for the restoration of hereditary monarchy as a divinely sanctioned institution and championed the indirect authority of the Pope over temporal matters. In his view, only governments founded upon a Christian constitution, embedded in the customs and institutions of European societies, could avert the disorder and bloodshed stemming from rationalist political programs. He was an enthusiastic proponent of hierarchical authority, extolling monarchy, exalting papal privileges, and glorifying divine providence.