Louis XIV: the only aspiring hegemon in modern history not to end up in ruins?

[Julie07]

Dylan Morin has written a book that I hope will be published in French. Here is a summary:

The international relations field grew around stories of great powers vying for hegemony and ultimately failing. However, France’s Louis XIV stands out among modern aspiring hegemons as the only one to leave his country intact, even larger than he found it. This book argues that Louis XIV’s war-ending strategy explains this outlying case. Like other potential hegemons, Louis fought general wars he failed to win decisively. But Louis would often negotiate peace from a position of strength while other aspiring hegemons generally fought to the finish, thus solidifying uncompromising balancing coalitions. This eagerness to pursue peace from a strong position mollified opposing coalitions and allowed France to extract some gains, however limited.


First, the work presents Louis’s strategy of major wartime concessions from a position of strength. Second, it shows how he used this strategy to exit his three general wars. Third, it describes his foreign policy background and beliefs to unpack the origins of this war-ending strategy. Fourth, the book compares France with other hegemonic pretenders to control for possible explanations and shows that Louis’s strategy was unique. Finally, it discusses in turn the research’s implications for the international security field and U. S. decision-makers concerned by the possibility of war with China and Russia. Hence, this book matters to policymakers, international relations theorists, and historians of modern Europe.

[RyanEC]

I think that is true that he never fell but he did have a costly victory in the Spanish war of succession and passed on the problems that would become bigger for Louis XV and Louis XVI.


But I do think he was the greatest ruler of his era.

[Julie07]

It cannot be said that the War of Spanish Succession was a victory.

Louis XIV left France extremely indebted, and he elevated the role of king and his representation so high that he became such an overwhelming personality that Louis XV and Louis XVI could only appear dull in comparison.

However, unlike other candidates for hegemony, Louis XIV left France enlarged, not diminished. With a cultural influence that was beginning to be very important, as many wanted to draw inspiration from France, he left France with an empire.

[RyanEC]

Didn’t France technically win the war and put a bourbon on the Spanish throne.
It was just far too costly.