Absolutism

Definition

Absolutism is a political doctrine in which a single ruler holds absolute power over the state and government, often justified by divine right or the necessity of maintaining order. This concept emphasizes the centralization of authority in the hands of a sovereign, limiting the influence of other institutions such as the church or nobility. Absolutism plays a crucial role in understanding the development of social contract theories, as it raises questions about the legitimacy of power and the consent of the governed.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Absolutism reached its height in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in countries like France under Louis XIV, who famously stated, 'L'état, c'est moi' ('I am the state').
2. The rise of absolutism was often accompanied by a decline in feudalism and the power of the nobility, as monarchs centralized power to strengthen their rule.
3. Absolutist regimes often employed bureaucracies and standing armies to enforce their authority and maintain control over their territories.
4. Critics of absolutism, like Hobbes and later Rousseau, used social contract theory to argue for the importance of popular consent and the rights of individuals against tyrannical rule.
5. The decline of absolutism began in the late 18th century with events like the Enlightenment and revolutions that emphasized democracy, individual rights, and limited government.

Review Questions

• How does absolutism relate to social contract theory, particularly in terms of individual rights and governmental authority?
  • Absolutism contrasts sharply with social contract theory, which emphasizes that legitimate governmental authority arises from the consent of the governed. While absolutists argue that a single ruler should hold absolute power for maintaining order, social contract theorists contend that individuals have inherent rights that must be respected. This tension raises critical questions about whether rulers can justifiably wield such unchecked power without violating individual liberties.
• Discuss how Hobbes' view of absolutism in 'Leviathan' supports the idea of absolute sovereignty.
  • Hobbes advocates for absolutism in 'Leviathan' by arguing that in a state of nature, life is 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' To escape this chaos, individuals must surrender their rights to a sovereign authority that possesses absolute power. Hobbes believes that only through such surrender can peace and security be achieved, thus reinforcing the necessity of absolute sovereignty as a means to prevent societal collapse.
• Evaluate how Montesquieu's separation of powers serves as a critique of absolutism and its implications for modern governance.
  • Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers directly challenges absolutism by advocating for distinct branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—to prevent any single entity from wielding unchecked power. This framework promotes accountability and protects individual rights by ensuring that power is not concentrated in one ruler. Montesquieu's ideas laid the foundation for modern democratic governance structures that emphasize limited government and the importance of checks and balances against potential tyranny.

Related terms

Divine Right: The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God, justifying their absolute power and making them answerable only to God.

Social Contract:

A theory proposing that individuals consent to form a government that will protect their rights, often used to challenge absolutist rule.

Sovereignty:

The supreme authority within a territory, often associated with the power of an absolute monarch to make laws and govern without external interference.