The book by the outstanding French social thinker, one of the founders of anarchism, Pierre Joseph Proudhon (1809–1865), contains a critical study of one and a half dozen French constitutions, or constitutional projects, which were never adopted, but were considered by the French government from 1789 to 1864 . The author not only criticizes the “constitutional” system of organizing power, but also proves that as long as the centralized nature of management of various spheres of society is maintained, not even the most conscientious social reformer will be able to fundamentally change anything. A book, many of the conclusions of which remain relevance today, can be recommended both to historians, political scientists, sociologists, philosophers, and a wide range of interested readers. The 1st edition was published under the title “History of the constitutional movement in the 19th century by P. J. Proudhon”

From the cover: Pierre Joseph Proudhon (1809–1865) Outstanding French social thinker, one of the founders of anarchism. Born in Besançon, into a working-class family. From 1827 he was a typographical typesetter and proofreader; in 1836–1838 - co-owner of a small printing house. Passed the baccalaureate examinations in 1838; received a scholarship from the Besançon Academy for scientific studies. He gained fame by publishing the book “What is Property?” (1840; Russian translation 1907), which contained the famous answer: “property is theft.” In 1843–1847 lived in Lyon, then moved to Paris, where he actively participated in the radical movement; during the revolution of 1848 he was elected to the Constituent Assembly and edited a number of newspapers. In 1849 he was sentenced to three years in prison on charges of incitement against the government. In 1858, he was again sentenced to prison for an anti-clerical essay, which he avoided by emigrating to Belgium. He was pardoned in 1860 and returned to Paris in 1862. Pierre Joseph Proudhon is the author of many ideas that have become the alpha and omega of anarchist thought. Among his merits: an analysis of the deep identity of the management and exploitation of man by man, an understanding of the inextricable relationship between market competition and state monopoly, a detailed justification of the ideas of federalism and free contract, debunking the belief in elections, parties and parliaments as forms of manipulation, the theory of “mutualism” (reciprocity) and ethics based on justice and human dignity. Proudhon's main political treatise, which provides the rationale for his teachings, is “The System of Economic Contradictions, or the Philosophy of Poverty” (1846). Proudhon’s other important works included: “Principles of Political Organization, or the Creation of a Humane Order” (1843), “Revolutionary Ideas” (1849), “War and Peace” (1861), “On the Political Capabilities of the Working Class” (1865; in 1867 was published in Russian translation under the title “French Democracy”).