Hello! I have an upcoming exam, and also a lecture in a class I'm currently taking regarding European history.
I have some questions concerning the part where we get to Napoleon. I'm familiar with the facts presented in my book, as well as material I have read online. But I'm kind of stuck regarding the prompt my professor gave me with regards to Napoleon.
My professor has asked me to analyze Napoleon's regime. But in particular, she also wants me to look into how he combined democratic and authoritarian methods of rule.
Obviousy, I'm stuck on the democratic side of things here. I understand that he was often portrayed to be an efficient civil administrator, pushing for the development of progressive ideals such as the promotion of education, arts, and literature, as well as the introduction of the Napoleonic code. But I am wondering if these alone are the characteristics of a democracy she is referring to. Any insight would be highly appreciated!
It's currently very late here, so if the mods think it's okay, I'll recommend some sources to take a look at before coming back to do a more full answer. To understand Napoleon-and-Democracy (or, perhaps more usefully, Napoleon and the Revolution), I'd take a look at the last section of The Oxford History of the French Revolution by William Doyle, Geoffrey Ellis' The Napoleonic Empire, and especially Martin Lyons' Napoleon Bonaparte and the Legacy of the French Revolution. Those all go into some detail on the tensions between authoritarianism and democratic/meritocratic ideals in the Consulate and Empire. I'd also recommend Sudhir Hazareesingh's The Legend of Napoleon, particularly the first chapter, which goes into detail about Napoleon's attempt to rebrand himself as a democrat/revolutionary during the Hundred Days.
Since time might be a factor, the New Books in History has a podcast with Michael Broers on Napoleon's early career. The Napoleon podcast also has a good interview with Philip Dwyer.