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It seems like the history of (European) monarchism since say the 17th century have been between liberal and reactionary branches/movements. Really weird how Legitimists vs. Orleans's mirrors Carlists vs. Alfonsists, Jacobites vs. Hanoverians, Miguelistas vs. Liberals, and so on. Yet Bonapartism is unique because some Corsican declared himself Caesar during a time of national revolution.

Were there any such figures in European history that could have done something similar? Cromwellianism? (Today there are modern-day Jacobites, even if they're only fringe internet people. Weird there's nobody even on their level clamoring for reinstating the Commonwealth.) Or maybe someone pulling a Napoleon during the Roman Republic or another 19th century revolutionary state?

Also, how could we get a situation where the pretender branch is more liberal/progressive than the current branch? It's interesting how most of the above situations have the more incumbent branch be less reactionary than the pretender.
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