The Glorious Revolution was the result of a contest between two competing visions
of the modern state, argues Steven Pincus. The springboard for Britain’s eventual global dominance, this surprisingly violent series of events became a model for change the world over
England’s Glorious Revolution of 1688-89 holds a special place in our understanding of the modern world and the revolutions that shaped it. For the better part of three centuries scholars and commentators identified it as a defining moment in England’s exceptional history. Political philosophers have associated it with the origins of liberalism. Sociologists have contrasted it with the French, Russian and Chinese revolutions. Historians have pointed to the Glorious Revolution as confirming the unusual nature of the English state, the balanced ancient constitution which limited the excesses both of monarchical authority and popular liberty. Scholars of literature and culture highlight it as an important moment in defining English common sense and moderation. All of these interpretations derive their power from a deeply held and widely repeated narrative of the revolution.
Unfortunately, this narrative is wrong. Replacing it with a new one necessarily forces us to revise many of the basic historical, political, moral and sociological categories we use to make sense of the modern world. The old narrative emphasised the revolution as a great moment in which the English defended their unique political culture. In fact, the English revolutionaries created a new kind of modern state. It was that new state that has proved so influential in shaping the modern world.
In the familiar story the English people agreed to replace the Catholic King James II with the Protestants William III ....
