The theories of Félicité de Lamennais and Frédéric Le Play: two approaches to social policy in French political philosophy of the XIXth century

Abstract

The article focuses on social Catholicism and corporatism as two doctrines within French political philosophy that reflect the development of social policy in this country to the greatest extent. The author explores social issues in the intellectual heritage of Félicité de Lamennais, a priest and a publicist, who moved from conservative ideas towards radicalism, and that of Frédéric Le Play, an engineer and sociologist, who substantiated French feudal traditionalism with the help of scientific approach.