Bishop Bossuet's True Law Of Free Monarchies

After suppressing revolts by the Fronde in 17th century France, King Louis XIV had become the supreme ruler of the country. Without any challenges to his power, he was able to practice absolutism, which is the concentration of power and symbolic authority in royal hands. With this power Louis XIV had many great achievements in France. He improved the tax system, religion, trading, and court life.1 Jean Domat was a juror who was supported by the king himself. He dedicated his life to explain and justify the importance of the role of absolutism in French society. The culmination of this work can be found in his legal digest, On Social Order and Absolute Monarchy. Many interesting ideas about the theory of absolutism can be found in his writings. It explains the essential environment for absolutism, defines the origin and necessity of government, and demonstrates the duties of the sovereign.

A form of government ruled by one person whose authority is not restricted by law or governing bodies is absolutism. It is arguable if this form of government can truly be successful due to its impression left throughout the course of history. Justification of absolutism by Thomas Hobbes, Jacques Benigne Bossuet, and analysis of Louis XIV rule reveal why absolutism in ineffective. Due to its removal of self-authority, vulnerability to a power, and the possibility of weakening a country make absolutism inefficient.

Louis XIV, the ruler of France from the late seventeenth century to the early eighteenth century, claimed, “I am the state.” He considered this to be absolutism. His goal, also acquainted with absolutism, was, “one king, one law, one faith;” Furthermore, Louis wanted to promote religious unity, royal dignity, and security of the state. In order to achieve this goal, he had to rule with a firm hand, laying down the law for all to see. Louis XIV’s absolutism fostered in four major parts: the building of Versailles to control the nobility, the breeding of a strong military, the improvement of France’s economy, and, while quite harsh, the brutal extinction of religious toleration.

Many rulers used absolutism in their countries. They believed rulers should have complete control over the country. Prince Machiavelli believed the best way to rule was to be feared and thought that the only way people would listen to him was if he was mean and scary. He thought if he was nice and loved then they would not fear him and end up taking advantage of him. (doc1) King James also believed absolutism was the way to go. He believed in divine right and that it was the only way to keep the country

James I is an absolute monarch who shows that he has absolute power over his people and Parliament. He did cause the Parliament to weaken because he wanted the power, he also has unrestricted political power over his sovereign that only he could limit. James I stated that he believes in the divine rights of kings, meaning that a king or queen has absolutism on their people by saying their right to rule came directly from the will of God. James’ I made an effort to limit Parliament's power and he succeeded, so they still weren't the legislative body of his sovereign, he chose to make all of the decisions and overcome the Parliament. James I is an absolute monarch because of his beliefs that he should control his sovereign and be the law-making body of his country and Parliament should not.

Absolutism created a time of prosperity throughout the 1500s and the 1600s. At this point of history, absolutism was an efficient way of running a government. Absolutist leaders were vigorous, assertive and a potent symbol of authority. The amount of growth in countries such as Russia was both efficient and effective because the power of authority was concentrated into one person’s hands. Absolutism enabled Peter the Great to modernize and adapt Russia for war, commerce and industrial growth. Additionally, absolutism gave people a powerful leader they needed to trust in and depend on for their country's sake. This type of regnant is most evident King James I of England and King Louis XIV of France. For example, King James I of England

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries absolutism became highly prevalent. Absolutism was a type of national monarchy in which the monarch had great power. Many absolute monarchs kept their countries embroiled in war, which led to a feeling of instability and uncertainty that led to a dependence on one strong central power. Monarchs also justified their immense power by referencing the concept of the Divine Right to Rule, which was the belief that God created the monarchy; the monarch was his representative on Earth and thus was only answerable to God himself. The belief that the monarch was appointed by God, the need for a sense of security during a time of uncertainty, and the efficiency that resulted from an absolute monarchy were all factors that led some to believe that absolute monarchies during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were

Once the seventeenth century began, western civilization became based upon bounds. In a structured and shared-power system known as limited monarchy, rulers either became hastened within their bounds or exploded from them. As the British Isles were frustrated in the religious, political, and national voices going unheard, England developed a Protestant-run nation in conjunction with Scotland as a bounded country in 1707. Their Parliament would make their decisions, distribute the country’s wealth, and stand for the rights of individuals. The model of one man who could not be chained to a Parliamentary system was France’s King Louis XIV. His reign begins in 1643 which brings about the genuine definition of an absolute monarchy and it’s faults. Absolutism was a practice built heavily within the Middle Ages, it would include Kings as the primary shareholders of their land, partnerships with nobles and their Churches. It would prove unsatisfactory for most kingdoms as they failed under civil war and invasion until the seventeenth century shines a new importance on superior command. Through the strife of religious reformations and international conflicts, absolutism grants those in kingship unlimited power. King Henry IV had brought France from fifteenth century centralization and the Reformation’s civil war to cleanse the people’s doubt in their King. The Bourbons built a monarchy for the ages with their grandson Louis XIV, and Boy-King in 1643. Utilizing absolutism to accept

Unlike Absolutist governments, which allowed for Kings like Louis XIV to spend on their own lavish lifestyles and palaces, constitutionalism ensured the no one leader in government was too powerful. In his The Spirit of Laws, Montesquieu advocated for a government where “the executive, legislative, and judicial powers” were separated from one another (Document 6). This idea, which is one of the building blocks of constitutionalism, ensured the interest of all citizens were being represented. In the English Revolution, the once Absolutist government gained a greater separation of powers. Parliament was given sovereignty over annual taxation, in addition to the implementation of national elections every two years. Unlike absolutist governments in France and Russia, This new distribution of responsibilities helped to keep the English Monarch from making decisions that didn’t best serve the interest of his people. Ultimately, in a societally imbalanced Europe, constitutionalism ensured a separation of powers in government that prevented corruption and ensured that citizens had greater representation within their

England’s lengthy history of hereditary monarchs and abusive absolutists has led to the system of constitutionalism in 17th century English government. The encouragement of these absolutism practices triggered the need to search for a new way to govern. The reigns of the Stuart monarchy led to the shift from absolutism to constitutionalism during 17th century England. After witnessing the success of Louis XIV's of France establishment of absolutism, England would soon see that James I, and his son Charles I, will fail at establishing absolutism in England and see a constitutional government established.

While many sought change in the church's hierarchical system, others sought change in the governing system that was in place at the time. “This necessity of government over people equal by their nature… makes it clear that government arises from His will.” Jean Domat saw the government

Absolutism was an idea in which a ruler had an unlimited power and authority in the state in which he ruled . One of the most well known rulers who practiced absolutism was King Louis XIV who declared: "I am the state" . King Louis XIV believed that he deserved absolute power, so his decisions were not to be challenged by anyone. Divine right was the entitlement that a king was given in his position by a higher power. Absolutism was based on the foundation that God granted monarchs earthly power to rule, and that only God gave them there power so that they could spread his will here on earth . This meant that rulers could validate any of their rules by calling themselves the promoters for God's will and punishing all those who defied their

During the seventeenth century, the monarch was known to have all control and dominance. However, people began to question whether the monarch should have ultimate authority and sovereign power in the palm of their hands. When their concerns began to grow, the disadvantages started to become more obvious. Thus proving there were more negative outcomes, of an absolutist form of government, than positive results.

Questions like , from where does one get authority ? And if I am protestant do I obey christian authority ? Are what lead to Absolutism , kings believed that they shouldn’t have to divide authority with others ,the Reformation changed the way of thinking. This new way of thinking also led to a number of wars. An additional important impact on Europe happened in the 18th century by the Enlightened despots . The 18th century was the age of enlightenment and the age of reason. “It stressed reason, logic, criticism and freedom of thought over dogma, blind faith and superstition.” The Enlightened despots took up some of the ideas and seemed to be interested in improving the lives of their followers , but they still did not want to share their power , this meant that they only used the ideas that would make them stronger and this was not fully welcomed by the people . The French Revolutions was directly inspired by the new Enlightened ideals and this marked the peak of its influence but also the start of its

In England, 17 century is the time of the fundamental revolution of breakthrough took place and sprung up some influential political thinkers. John Locke is the forefather of liberty while William Godwin was one of the proponent of anarchism, and both of them are great English philosopher after the enlightenment who take significant influence on successors. This essay will focus on the views of Locke and Godwin on the origin and purpose of government, the extent of authority, as well as some opinions according to their flaws.