有關法蘭克時期政治體制的討論,始于文藝復興晚期。受當時人文主義影響,法國學者以歷史批判視角剔除了過往敘述中的神話色彩。論戰延續至18世紀啟蒙時代,思想界分為貴族派與王權派,雙方觀點對立,但均以古代政體的歷史為依據,為自身合法性辯護。此后,受18世紀中葉政治局勢的影響,啟蒙思想中的公意和理性觀念滲入論戰,使其日趨激化。隨著第三等級的介入,歷史的合法性逐漸讓位于公意與理性,以致歷史本身的權威性最終遭到全面否定。這場論戰開啟了法國革命激進主義的序幕,并為推翻舊制度提供了豐富的思想與話語資源。

Discussion of the Frankish political system began in the late Renaissance.Influenced by the humanism of the times,French scholars adopted the methods of historical criticism to expunge the mythical elements from previous narratives.The debate continued into the 18th century enlightenment,when thinkers of the time divided into aristocratic and royalist camps.The two sides held opposing views,but each defended its legitimacy on the basis of the history of antiquity.Thereafter,affected by the political developments of the mid-18th century,the debate was colored by enlightenment ideas of reason and the general will,making the divisions sharper.As the Third Estate entered the debate,the idea of historical legitimacy gradually yielded to enlightenment ideas of reason and the general will,ultimately resulting in the comprehensive rejection of the authority of history itself.The debate served as a prelude to the radicalism of the French revolution,providing rich intellectual and discourse resources for the overthrowing of the old system.