Mark’s Reviews > The Transformation of European Politics 1763-1848 > Status Update

Russia and Britain as moderating dual hegemons, not directly competing, but managing competition effectively. 1815-1818

The concert of Europe established (finished with the Vienna conference) The long 19 century exiting its adolescence. The New Imperalist balance of power entrenched, youthful. The trenches and 20th century struggling to be born, a glimmer in the eye. Austria’s insecurity simply postponed, the assassination of the archduke almost obvious 100 years beforehand

The strain of war makes the balance of power rear its head again (getting nearer to the end of Nap Wars)

The underlying logic of constant competition leads to its natural break from a revolutionary (in IR terms ‘revisionist’ actor) government and individual (Napoleon) who has maximalist goals and no commitment to collective security, due to France’s inherently insecure position in the prior balance. British and Russians continue to waffle to stop an existential crisis from France, Austria/cent europe the victim

France consolidates, Prussia makes an effort only after Austria is subdued and Russia is reluctant to help, far too late. Berlin degree (confidential system established) analyzed in detail as part of the overarching structure of French domination of allies. Persistent theme: three hegemonic powers (Russia, France, Britain) constantly jockeying: France escalating, Britain reluctant, Russia balancing (late)

At 1806, Napoleon is a tremendous figure but the book does a good job analyzing all the diplomats and foreign ministries and national strategies rather than focusing on him. He’s a little one dimensional in his pursuit of open ended dominance in this reading, but it feeds well into the thesis of the ‘destruction’ of 18th century politics over the course of the first decade of the 1800’s.

Book is a slog. Up to 1803/1804 and analysis of British grand strategy + russian grand strategy re: continuing in the war and trying to balance against France. It's good but There's still 550 pages left. Will probably pick up after 1815 Congress of Vienna and be more interesting/less 'interwar/war/interwar/war' like it is now during the coalition wars w nap