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Various authors (Dromel, Lorenz, Petersen, Wechssler, Pinder, Drerup, Mannheim, and so on) have addressed the theme of the generations, but it is Ortega y Gasset who must be recognized for having established in his theory of generations the key to understanding the intrinsic movement of the historical process. (31)
In: Historiological Discussions, Silo
Chapter 3: History and Temporality, 3.2 Horizon and Temporal Landscape
Justin Dromel (1826 - 18??)
Justin Dromel (1826 - 18??)
Lawyer and political commentator.
Biographical information
Biographical information
1826 born in Marseille / France
18?? died
Major works + topics
(1869) The law of revolutions, generations, nationalities, dynasties, religions (Das Gesetz der Revolutionen, Generationen, Nationalitäten, Dynastien, Religionen)
(1869) Bourgeois et socialistes (Bourgeois And Socialists)
(1875) L'assainissement de Paris et la Société provisoire de Bondy; ses travaux, son programme (The Sanitation of Paris and the Provisional Society of Bondy; its work, its programme)
(1875) Les Actions de priorité (The Priority Actions)
The book ‘La Loi des révolutions, les générations, les nationalités, les dynasties, les religions’, which is still quoted today, deals with the following:
Cyclical nature of history: Dromel argues that history moves in cycles of revolutions. Every social order has a limited lifespan and will eventually be replaced by a revolutionary change. These revolutions are inevitable and part of a natural process of renewal.
Influence of generations: Dromel emphasises that each generation plays a specific role in this cycle. Young generations tend to question the existing structures and support revolutionary movements. However, once they grow older and take power, they establish a new order that will in turn be challenged by the following generation.
Nationalities and identities: He also discusses the role of nationality and identity in these cycles. Nationalities and ethnic identities are powerful forces that can drive social movements and revolutions, especially in times of national awakening or the pursuit of independence.
Dynasties and Power Structures: Dromel analyses how dynasties and power structures remain stable or collapse over time. He argues that dynasties often disintegrate due to internal corruption or external pressure, paving the way for revolutionary upheaval.
Role of religion: According to Dromel, religion also plays a central role in the cycles of history. Religion can be both a conservative force that stabilises existing orders and a revolutionary force that supports social upheaval. Its effect depends on the historical and social contexts.
Influence
Not much is known about Justin Dromel. Even the files of the Bibliothèque National de France contain no biographical information except that he was a lawyer and publicist, born in Marseille, and a list of 8 to 10 publications. Furthermore, both the BnF and other publications mention a pseudonym in connection with Dromel (Écorcheville), although it is not entirely clear whether the name Justin Dromel is also a pseudonym. But his work ‘La Loi des révolutions, les générations, les nationalités, les dynasties, les religions’ (The Law of Revolutions, Generations, Nationalities, Dynasties, Religions) is still cited and named in relevant dissertations and other scientific works dealing with the topic of ‘generations in history’.
Why is he mentioned by Silo in ‘Historiological Discussions’?
Dromel is mentioned by Silo in the same breath as a series of authors, without further elaboration of his theses, because he wants to emphasise that it was Ortega y Gasset who accurately described and explained the generational engine of history. The Revista de Occidente, cited by Silo in his footnotes, is possibly a reason, or at least a source, for mentioning it in the Historiological Discussions:
The Spanish-language Revista de Occidente was founded in 1923 by Jose Ortega y Gasset as a more or less monthly publication. It had and has (because it still exists) a great importance as a publication on topics of philosophy, literature and science in general for the Spanish-speaking world, that is to say, also in Latin America. A large and illustrious group of intellectuals have published in this magazine or been discussed there.
To this day, the Ortega family is still the publisher.
From 1949, there is a publication by the Revista de Occidente entitled ‘El método histórico de las generaciones / Julián Marías’. In this work, Julian Marías – a friend and disciple of Ortega – not only discusses the key ideas of Ortega but also deals in detail with the other authors who had contributed to the topic of generations in history to date: Dromel, Mannheim and the other authors mentioned by Silo can also be found there.
https://www.cervantesvirtual.com/obra/el-metodo-historico-de-las-generaciones/
It can be assumed that Silo not only knew about this publication of the Revista de Occidente, but also read it.
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