Isabella Carter
Absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy are two distinct political systems that have shaped the course of history, particularly in Europe. Absolute monarchy, exemplified by rulers like Louis XIV of France, is characterized by unlimited centralized authority vested in a monarch who stands above all laws and is unconstrained by constitutions or legislatures. On the other hand, in a constitutional monarchy, sovereignty resides with the parliament, and the monarch's power is limited by a constitution. While absolute monarchy reached its zenith in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, it eventually declined after the French Revolution and World War I, giving way to constitutional monarchies and other forms of government based on popular sovereignty. Nonetheless, absolutism has resurfaced in different parts of the world, and its legacy continues to influence modern political theories and movements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Centralized authority | Unlimited |
| Sovereignty | Vested in a monarch in absolutist systems; in constitutional systems, sovereignty resides with the parliament |
| Challenge to power | Ruling power in absolutist systems is not subject to challenge; constitutional systems allow for checks and balances |
| Rule by divine right | Absolutist rulers justify their power by claiming it is ordained by God |
| Social hierarchies | Hardened in absolutist systems, with rights and privileges of nobility codified into clear laws |
| Economic philosophy | Mercantilism, with a focus on producing own goods and limiting imports |
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What You'll Learn
Centralised authority
The absolutist system of government reached its pinnacle in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, exemplified by figures like Louis XIV of France, who famously declared, "L'état, c'est moi" ("I am the state"). During this period, almost every European kingdom witnessed attempts by monarchs to reorganise their states along absolutist lines. This trend led to the growth of royal governments, with a significant increase in the number of officials and tax revenues.
The centralisation of authority in absolutist systems is justified by the theory of the "divine right of kings," which asserts that monarchs derive their authority directly from God. This belief system allowed rulers to claim that any challenge to their power, through parliament or constitution, was a defiance of God's will. The absolutist system was characterised by the hardening of social hierarchies, with the rights and privileges of the nobility codified into clear laws.
In contrast, constitutional monarchies, like that of Britain, limited the power of the monarch and centralised authority in a parliament. This system provided a check on the monarch's authority and allowed for the emergence of new economic philosophies, such as mercantilism, which focused on increasing national wealth through the production of goods and limiting imports. While constitutional monarchies provided some constraints on royal power, they still allowed for the expansion of colonial empires and the exploitation of raw materials from these colonies.
While absolutist systems have declined since the French Revolution and World War I, they have provided ideological foundations for opposing liberal democracy and have influenced modern authoritarian regimes. For example, Saudi Arabia, ruled by an absolute monarchy, is considered the world's most authoritarian regime as of 2023.
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Sovereignty
Absolutism is a political doctrine and practice of unlimited centralized authority and absolute sovereignty, often vested in a monarch or dictator. In an absolutist system, the ruling power is not subject to checks or challenges by any other agency, be it judicial, legislative, religious, economic, or electoral. Absolute monarchs view sovereignty as residing with them, rather than with a parliament or constitution, which could limit their power.
Constitutional monarchies, on the other hand, recognize the sovereignty of a parliament or legislative body, which acts as a check on the monarch's power. This system emerged as a counter to absolutism, particularly in Britain, where William and Mary accepted limits on their power through a constitutional monarchy.
The key difference between these systems lies in their approach to sovereignty. In absolutist systems, sovereignty is often tied to the concept of the "divine right of kings," where monarchs claim their authority directly from God, justifying even tyrannical rule as divinely ordained. This was notably asserted by Louis XIV of France, who famously stated, "L'état, c'est moi" ("I am the state").
In contrast, constitutional systems distribute sovereignty across different branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with the parliament or legislative body holding primary power. This distribution of power acts as a check and balance on the authority of any single individual or entity, preventing the concentration of power seen in absolutist regimes.
While absolutist systems peaked in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, they have also appeared in various forms throughout history, including in Nazi Germany under Hitler, the Soviet Union under Stalin, Italy under Mussolini, China under Mao Zedong, and North Korea under the Kim dynasty. These regimes exhibited absolutist rule, characterized by centralized authority and a lack of constraints on power.
In summary, the concept of sovereignty is central to understanding the differences between constitutional and absolutist systems. Absolutist systems vest sovereignty in a single ruler, often a monarch, who wields absolute power without constraints. In contrast, constitutional systems distribute sovereignty across different branches, with a parliament or legislative body holding primary power and acting as a check on the monarch's authority.
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Historical context
Absolute monarchy, a form of government where the monarch is the sole source of political power, unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority, was at its peak in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. This period marked a shift from the constraints of feudalism, with figures like Louis XIV of France, known for his assertion, "I am the state", embodying absolute rule. Charles I of England also sought to establish an absolutist government, viewing Parliament as unnecessary, which ultimately led to the English Civil War and his execution.
Absolutism was underpinned by the theory of the "divine right of kings," which asserted that monarchs derived their authority from God. This belief justified even tyrannical rule as divinely ordained punishment for human sinfulness. The rise of national monarchs as heads of both church and state further solidified their power. King Henry VIII of England, for example, became the head of the newly created Church of England in the 16th century, exemplifying the consolidation of religious and political authority.
During the 17th century, absolutism transformed the states of Europe. Royal governments expanded significantly, employing more officials and collecting higher tax revenues. Standing armies also grew considerably, from around 20,000 men in the 16th century to over 150,000 by the late 17th century. Monarchs, inspired by Louis XIV's court at Versailles, sought to imitate his style and substance, building grand palaces and relying on royal officials and new forms of taxation to bolster their armies and fortifications.
While Britain adopted constitutional monarchy, limiting the power of the monarch, most other European kingdoms attempted to reorganize along absolutist lines. Monarchs in Sweden, England, and Spain sought to consolidate power at the expense of their nobles and peasants, with varying degrees of success. Prussia, ruled by the House of Hohenzollern, transitioned from feudal monarchy to absolute monarchy in 1701, marking the beginning of King Frederick I's reign. The influence of absolutism extended beyond Europe, with Saudi Arabia, for example, remaining an absolute monarchy today, where the Quran and Sunnah traditions are considered the Kingdom's constitution.
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Social hierarchies
Absolutism, the political doctrine of unlimited centralized authority, is typically associated with absolute monarchy, where sovereignty resides with the monarch. In contrast, constitutional systems vest sovereignty in a parliament or other legislative body, acting as a check on the monarch's authority.
Despite their differences, both constitutional and absolutist systems can exhibit social hierarchies, with varying levels of nobility and privilege. In absolutist systems, the hardening of social hierarchies is often a notable feature, with the rights and privileges of the nobility codified into clear laws. "Tables of ranks" were created to specify the standing of nobles in relation to one another, the monarch, and "princes of the blood." This process of verifying and organizing social hierarchies was also observed in constitutional monarchies like Britain, which stood as an exception to the general trend of absolutism in 17th-century Europe.
The absolutist system of the 16th and 17th centuries represented a break from the constraints of feudalism and the rise of strong individual leaders in the new nation-states. Monarchs in countries like France, Prussia, and Russia consolidated power, often justifying their actions through the "'divine right of kings'" theory. This theory asserted that kings derived their authority from God, and any challenge to their power was seen as a challenge to God himself.
While absolutist systems centralized power in the monarch, they could still involve social hierarchies and power structures below the sovereign level. The peasantry, for example, often bore the cost of absolutist rule, as monarchs strengthened their power at the expense of both nobles and commoners. Monarchs in Sweden and Austria, for instance, reached compromises with their nobles, benefiting both groups but often to the detriment of the lower classes.
In summary, while constitutional and absolutist systems differ in their distribution of power, both can exhibit social hierarchies. Absolutist systems, with their focus on centralized authority, often led to the hardening and clarification of these hierarchies, with monarchs consolidating their power and justifying their rule through divine right.
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Economic philosophy
Absolutism, the political doctrine of unlimited centralized authority, is often associated with absolute monarchy, where sovereignty resides with the monarch. Constitutional monarchies, on the other hand, have limited power and sovereignty resides with the parliament. Despite these differences, both systems have been influenced by economic philosophies that have shaped their policies and practices.
From the 16th to the 18th centuries, European nations under both constitutional and absolutist systems followed an economic philosophy called mercantilism. Mercantilism promoted the idea that nations should produce as many goods as possible and limit imports to increase wealth and preserve national revenue. This philosophy aligned with the interests of absolute monarchs, who sought to consolidate power and enhance their reputations. For example, Louis XIV of France, known for his assertion, "I am the state", worked with his finance minister, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, to establish France as a manufacturer of luxury goods. They funded extravagant projects like Versailles, which strengthened Louis XIV's image as an absolute monarch.
Mercantilism also influenced the expansion of colonial empires and the development of plantations in colonies. European nations, despite objections from economists like Adam Smith, established colonies to cultivate raw materials, which were then processed into finished goods within their own countries. This economic system contributed to the growth of royal governments and the increase in tax revenues and standing armies.
While absolutism and constitutional monarchy differ in their distribution of power, both systems operated within the framework of mercantilism during this period. The economic philosophy of mercantilism guided their approaches to trade, manufacturing, and colonial expansion, shaping the economic landscape of Europe and its colonies.
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Frequently asked questions
Absolutism is the political doctrine and practice of unlimited centralised authority and absolute sovereignty, usually vested in a monarch or dictator.
In a constitutional system, the power resides with a parliament or legislative body, rather than a single ruler.
Both systems involve a concentration of power, albeit in different ways. Absolutist systems concentrate power in a single ruler, while constitutional systems concentrate power in a group, such as a parliament. Both systems also typically involve a clear hierarchy, with defined rights and privileges for different levels of nobility or government officials.
Absolutist systems were prevalent in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, with figures such as Louis XIV of France, Charles I of England, and Frederick the Great of Prussia embodying this form of rule. Outside of Europe, absolutist systems have been observed in Saudi Arabia, Nazi Germany under Hitler, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and North Korea under the Kim dynasty.
The key difference is the distribution of power. Constitutional systems emphasise checks and balances, spreading power across different branches of government and limiting the influence of any single individual or group. In contrast, absolutist systems consolidate power in a single ruler, who is unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority.
