This is one of the things that I've been interested in since, well, you know, the modern world has fulfilled the goals* of all but the most radical of the revolutionaries, but only long after they themselves collapsed into bloodshed, chaos, and dictatorship. What I'm asking is if the very first of the liberal revolutions could have succeeded, perhaps France, or elsewhere?
Now when I say "succeeded," I mean:
- It must be a republic, so abolition of monarchy, nobility (height reduction is not strictly necessary)
- At least universal manhood suffrage
- Separation of church and state
- Some elements of the welfare state
From what I've read, my gut instinct is that Britain is the most likely candidate, since it would be the most urbanized, with a significant segment of the population supporting it, unlike more the more rural France. It's also on an island, so it would be more difficult to invade, and so the revolutionaries might feel more secure, and less likely to blunder into disastrous war like in France.
Any thoughts?
*Now, assessing the outcome of their fulfillment is a different story.
Thanks!
Now when I say "succeeded," I mean:
- It must be a republic, so abolition of monarchy, nobility (height reduction is not strictly necessary)
- At least universal manhood suffrage
- Separation of church and state
- Some elements of the welfare state
From what I've read, my gut instinct is that Britain is the most likely candidate, since it would be the most urbanized, with a significant segment of the population supporting it, unlike more the more rural France. It's also on an island, so it would be more difficult to invade, and so the revolutionaries might feel more secure, and less likely to blunder into disastrous war like in France.
Any thoughts?
*Now, assessing the outcome of their fulfillment is a different story.
Thanks!