The modern concept of revolution, intrinsically linked to the idea that historical progression suddenly makes a new beginning, that a completely new history which has never been known and never been told is about to unfold, was unknown before the two great revolutions at the end of the 18th century.

Before getting involved in what ended up being a revolution, none of the protagonists had the slightest inkling of what the plot of the new drama would be. However, from the moment the revolutions began to take their course, and long before those involved could know if their endeavor would end in victory or disaster, the innovation of the drama and the deeper meaning of its plot became evident to the actors and spectators.

As for the scenario, it was undoubtedly the emergence of freedom: in 1793, four years after the outbreak of the French Revolution, at a moment when Robespierre could define his power as the "despotism of freedom" without fearing being accused of paradoxicality, Condorcet summarized what everyone already knew: "The term 'revolutionary' can only be applied to revolutions that aim at freedom." (Hannah Arendt)

The inspiration from political traditions of antiquity, the controversial experience of the great revolutions of modern times (the French, the American, the Russian), and the radical reassessment of critical phenomena of the contemporary world -such as the relationship between war and revolution, the "social question" in conjunction with politics, the distinction between liberation and freedom- compose this classic work, authored by the most significant political philosopher of the 20th century.