Paths to Democracy in Rhineland-Palatinate

This compendium comprises 50 biographically oriented texts on individuals who, each in their own way, contributed to the democratic development of the historical predecessor states of what would later become the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The period covered spans approximately 100 years, from 1750 to 1850, described in the title – “Aufklärung und Frühliberalismus 1750–1850” – as a transitional phase in the genesis of modern liberalism. The volume is intended to be the first in a planned two- or three-part series on the history of democracy in Rhineland-Palatinate, and is funded by the Historical Commission for the History of Rhineland-Palatinate.

The selection criteria for the featured individuals are based on a flexible relationship with the region. Birthplace alone is neither a prerequisite nor a sufficient condition for inclusion. Instead, plausible connections to Rhineland-Palatinate through residence, sphere of influence, or geographical reference form the basis for inclusion.

Given that this is still a pre-democratic period, a precise definition of the intellectual profile of the individuals considered is likewise not possible. However, the selection focuses on political orientation, intellectual independence, and a certain public influence, based on the assumption that the protagonists consistently advocated for the attainment or preservation of participatory ideals within the historical circumstances of their lives and actions. Accordingly, the portraits will place a strong emphasis on both theoretical and practical initiatives in the context of democratic development.

In the course of the already completed pre-selection, particular importance was placed on portraying individuals from diverse backgrounds, socializations, and spheres of activity — including both men and women. The volume spans the period from the High Enlightenment to the suppression of the 1848 Revolution. A second, not yet fully developed, volume will focus on individuals from the mid-19th century to the present.