Did Napoleon rule democratic? - Page 2 - Historum

**Mosquito** · August 8th, 2011, 03:36 AM

Well, in the Duchy of Warsaw he has established conservative republican goverment. He has written constitution of the Duchy which was based on the French consitution of 1799. The leading role in the Duchy was given to aristocracy and the executive power to duke, the power of parliament was rather limited. So definatelly, at least considering Poland he wasnt democratic but rather supported aristocracy.

**jeroenrottgering** · August 8th, 2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sylla1

Referendums = democracy? You must be kidding.

Even before getting intoxicated with power, grape-shooting unarmed civilians was the closest le Petit Caporal ever got to any democratic idea.

From the very first moment, le Premier Consul Monsieur Buonaparte was as tyrannical as it can get.

Now, whem he became a flamant new century autocratic emperor, referendum or not "democracy" was the very last thing he had in mind.

And to be honest, he never tried at all to disguise his extreme anti-democratic ideas.

Know your history. Napoleon grape-shooting unarmed citizens? I call a Royalist revolt fully armed who want to overthrow the governemnt not unarmed citizens.

Perhaps democracy is not the right word, but he ruled with blessing of the French people. In almost all of his referendums Napoleon managed to get more then 90% pro votes.

He may not have believed in democracy and often I can see why, but he has been the most popular leader in France since Charlemagne. Perhaps he didn't rule democratic, but his position was backed by almost all Frenchman.

**jeroenrottgering** · August 8th, 2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourteen

The plebiscites he introduced and held were effectively useless, although definitely highly-intelligently timed and established. Democracy does not come from referendums, though, as has been mentioned above.

I don't why they don't. In a referendum the government asks his people to decide. In my eyes that is much more democratic then he system when you elect your leader and hope he will furfill your wishes. A referendum is direct and simple.

**Fireatwill** · August 8th, 2011, 05:54 AM

I'm glad he was not a democrat, otherwise the ideals of French revolution would have been destroyed by the other European powers... When faced with such colossal historical events, the genius of one is enough compared to the voice of all the rabble.

Democracy only looks good on paper, in reality its a sham.

Chancellor · August 8th, 2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourteen

The plebiscites he introduced and held were effectively useless, although definitely highly-intelligently timed and established. Democracy does not come from referendums, though, as has been mentioned above.

Particularly not if they're crooked... if so, Hitler's rule was "democratic". Anybody knows if Napoleon held legislative elections as well, or if the bodies guaranteed in the constitutions of 1799 and 1804 merely "existed"?

Chancellor · August 8th, 2011, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeroenrottgering

I don't why they don't. In a referendum the government asks his people to decide. In my eyes that is much more democratic then he system when you elect your leader and hope he will furfill your wishes. A referendum is direct and simple.

I agree with you, but as Stalin put it, it's not how people vote but who is counting the votes. Just look up the figures, in case you haven't done it

French constitutional referendum, 1800 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
French constitutional referendum, 1802 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
French constitutional referendum, 1804 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
French constitutional referendum, 1815 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fourteen · August 8th, 2011, 01:45 PM

I've heard him been described as a 'democratic despot', which is utterly ridiculous, in my opinion.

Fourteen · August 8th, 2011, 01:47 PM

In reference to the plebiscites, here's something to consider, which I forgot to include earlier:

(From CHNM)

Quote:

"Abstention Rate in Napoleonic Plebiscites"
All regions of France did not support Napoleon equally. His rule aroused most enthusiasm in the east (a prerevolutionary border region crucial in the Napoleonic wars) and the center of the country, least in the west, which had long provided a home to royalist counterrevolution.
Abstension rate in Napoleonic plebiscites (shaded areas = those where the abstention rate exceeded 80 percent)

As well as this source:
http://www.napoleon-series.org/resea...ebiscites.html

Chancellor · August 8th, 2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourteen

I've heard him been described as a 'democratic despot', which is utterly ridiculous, in my opinion.

Renmin Minzhu Zhuanzheng - the Chinese fixed it!

Democratic, still a bit dictatorial, but only for the fascist-capitalist-conservative-liberal reactionary rabble

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People'...c_dictatorship

Pavel · August 8th, 2011, 02:17 PM

For me, main feature of democratic regime is absent of derogating the human rights. It was has more value then elections and referendums.Because we have many instances of crime against human nature,which was committed by elected rulers.All bloody dictators had excessive support from their nations.But if man could hold his power without infringing rights of citizen,it really deserves deference.Napoleon ,as I know, in his undemocratic epoch, respected the dignity more than half of democratic rulers and elected presidents.