Guizot (1787-1874) was a French historian, orator and statesman who was a dominant figure in French politics prior to the Revolution of 1848. A conservative liberal who opposed the attempt by Charles X to usurp legislative power, he worked to sustain a constitutional monarchy following the July Revolution of 1830. He then served the 'citizen king' Louis Philippe as Minster of Education 1832-37, ambassador to London, Foreign Minister 1840-47, and finally Prime Minister 1847-48. Committed to supporting the policies of Louis Philippe and to limiting the expansion of the political franchise, he became unpopular with more left-leaning liberals and it was his ban on political meetings by moderate liberals who wanted to extend the franchise that was the catalyst to the revolution that toppled Louis Philippe in February 1848 leading to the establishment of the Second Empire. Published in 1849, this work sets forth his views on democracy in his native country.