Constitutionalism: Freedom Vs. Absolute Rule

Constitutionalism is a doctrine that a government's authority is determined by a body of laws or a constitution. It is about preventing arbitrary government and avoiding the dangers of rulers serving their interests rather than those of the ruled. It aims to determine who can rule, how, and for what purposes. Absolutism, on the other hand, can be seen in the context of the French monarchy, where Louis XIV and Louis XV held absolute power, unbound by procedures or limitations in exercising their powers. This is in stark contrast to constitutionalism, which seeks to limit government power and protect the interests, rights, and liberties of citizens, especially social minorities. Constitutionalism is deeply embedded in historical experience and is subject to ongoing interpretation and evolution to ensure it serves its intended purpose.

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Absolutism vs constitutionalism

Absolutism and constitutionalism are two opposing political philosophies that have their roots in the fifteenth century. Absolutism is a form of government where a single person, usually a monarch, holds absolute power and authority with no repercussions for their actions. The monarch is often seen as having a divine right to rule, being considered a god or having God's power on earth. This was a prevalent form of government in Europe from the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries, with famous absolutist monarchs including Louis XIV of France, who exercised total control over the lives of the nobles, and James I, who believed that kings did not require laws as they would inherently behave appropriately.

In contrast, constitutionalism is a system of government where power is decentralized and distributed among different institutions, such as a parliament. It is based on the idea that the government's powers should be legally limited and that its authority and legitimacy come from adhering to these limitations. Constitutionalism aims to protect the freedom and liberty of the people and ensure that even the monarch is subject to the law. The political theories of John Locke, who questioned the unlimited power of the sovereign, are often associated with the rise of constitutionalism.

One of the key differences between absolutism and constitutionalism is the concentration of power. In absolutist states, sovereignty resides with the monarch, while in constitutional states, sovereignty lies with the parliament or other governing bodies. Absolutist monarchs often justified their claim to power by divine right, arguing that any attempt to limit their power was a challenge against God. On the other hand, constitutionalism seeks to eliminate the danger of a bad ruler by regulating the system through a constitution and holding even the highest leaders accountable to the law.

Another distinction lies in the financial and military aspects of the two systems. In absolutism, monarchs obtain wealth directly from the people, whereas constitutionalism requires a formal procedure to collect finances from the nobility. In terms of military power, absolutist states maintain a standing army during peace and war, whereas constitutionalist states typically only mobilize an army during instances of war or chaos.

Absolutism and constitutionalism offer differing perspectives on the role of the ruler and the rights of the people. Absolutism can lead to prosperity and positive changes when monarchs rule justly and are liked by the people. However, it also carries the risk of tyranny and the unchecked power of a bad king. Constitutionalism, on the other hand, provides checks and balances, upholds the rule of law, and aims to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens.

The sovereignty of monarchs

Absolutism is a form of government where a monarch wields absolute power and authority, with no repercussions for their actions. This is in contrast to constitutionalism, where power is decentralised and distributed among different institutions, and everyone, including the monarch, must follow a set of laws.

Absolutism was prevalent in Europe from the 15th to the 18th centuries, with monarchs justifying their supreme power through the concept of "divine right". This notion asserted that monarchs were chosen by God, and any challenge to their authority was seen as blasphemy. Monarchs like Louis XIV of France embodied this absolute power, going so far as to move the seat of government to his palace at Versailles to exert total control over the nobles.

The wealth and resources of an absolutist state are directly controlled by the monarch, who can obtain funds directly from the people. This differs from constitutionalism, where finances are obtained through formal procedures involving nobles or other governing bodies.

Absolutism often leads to limitations on the freedom of the masses through excessive surveillance and censorship. Monarchs are considered almost god-like, and this religious aspect instils respect and reverence for these rulers. However, absolutism can also bring about prosperity, as these monarchs are believed to have the power to bring positive change and are not limited by laws in their decision-making.

In conclusion, the sovereignty of monarchs in an absolutist state is characterised by unrestricted power, direct control over resources, and a religious reverence for their rule. This stands in contrast to constitutionalism, which seeks to limit the power of the monarch, decentralise authority, and protect the freedoms and liberties of the people.

The power of the people

Absolutism and constitutionalism are two different systems of government. Absolutism is a form of government where a single ruler, usually a monarch, holds absolute power and authority, often claiming a "divine right to rule". This system was prevalent in Europe from the 15th to the 18th centuries, with notable examples including France, Prussia, Spain, and Russia. In absolutist states, the monarch's power goes unquestioned, and they are not bound by laws or a constitution. This can lead to tyranny and the limitation of individual freedoms.

On the other hand, constitutionalism upholds the rule of law and distributes power among different institutions. It asserts that governments should be legally limited in their powers and that their authority derives from the people. This concept was developed by political philosophers such as John Locke, who challenged the idea of unlimited sovereign power. In a constitutional government, even the monarch is subject to the law, and their power can be checked by a constitution or other government officials.

In contrast, absolutism often leads to the tyranny of the majority or the rule of aristocratic families. Under absolutism, the monarch's power is unchecked, and they can act without repercussions. This can result in harm to their subjects, as there are no mechanisms to hold the ruler accountable or remove them from power in the case of misconduct or incompetence. Absolutism limits the freedom of the masses through excessive surveillance and censorship, while constitutionalism strives to protect and promote individual rights and freedoms.

The people's power is also evident in the mobilisation of the army. In absolutist states, there is a standing army regardless of peace or war, which can be a tool for oppression. In contrast, constitutionalist states typically mobilise their army only during instances of war or chaos, ensuring that the military power is controlled and used appropriately.

Furthermore, constitutionalism eliminates the notion of divine right, which was often used by monarchs in absolutist systems to justify their rule. By questioning and rejecting the idea that monarchs derive their authority from a divine source, constitutionalism shifts the focus to the people as the true source of power. This empowers the citizens and provides a basis for challenging the authority of absolute monarchs, thereby curbing their power and holding them accountable to their subjects.

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Divine right to rule

Absolutism and constitutionalism are two contrasting political philosophies that dominated the European landscape from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Absolutism is a form of government where a monarch wields absolute power and authority, often justifying their rule as a "divine right to rule". Constitutionalism, on the other hand, advocates for a system of checks and balances, where power is decentralised and regulated by a constitution or other government officials.

The concept of the "divine right to rule" was a key justification for absolute monarchy during this period. Monarchs claimed that their authority came directly from God, and as such, they were not bound by earthly laws or limitations. This belief was strongly held by figures like James I, who wrote that questioning the divine right was blasphemy. The "divine right" provided a religious basis for absolute rule and demanded respect and obedience from the subjects.

In absolutist states, the sovereignty resides solely with the monarch. This meant that the king or queen had unlimited power and was not accountable to any laws or institutions. Absolutism often led to the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few aristocratic families, and the masses were subjected to excessive surveillance and censorship. The absolute monarch was considered above the law and not bound by any legal restrictions.

However, the idea of the "divine right to rule" was not without its challenges. From the 16th and 17th centuries onwards, people began to question the logic of having a single all-powerful ruler. Philosophers like John Locke advocated for natural rights and argued that governments should be legally limited in their powers. Locke's theories formed the basis of constitutionalism, which proposed that sovereignty should reside with the people or a parliament, rather than an individual monarch.

Constitutionalism offered a solution to the potential dangers of an absolute monarchy. By decentralising power and establishing a system of laws that apply equally to all citizens, including the monarch, constitutionalism aimed to prevent the abuse of power and protect the freedoms and liberties of the people. In a constitutional government, the monarch is subject to the same laws as everyone else, ensuring that even a ""bad king" cannot act with impunity.

In conclusion, the "divine right to rule" was a central tenet of absolutism, where monarchs claimed God-given authority to rule without limitations. However, the emergence of constitutionalism challenged this notion by advocating for a system of checks and balances, decentralisation of power, and the rule of law over the rule of an individual.

Freedom and liberty

Absolutism and constitutionalism are two contrasting political philosophies that have been prevalent since the 15th century. Absolutism is a form of government where a monarch wields absolute power and authority with no repercussions for their actions. The monarch is often viewed as a divine entity, and any challenge to their authority is seen as blasphemy. In an absolutist state, the sovereignty resides with the monarch, and their power is not limited by a constitution or other government officials. This can lead to the danger of having a "bad king" with unlimited power to cause harm, as there is limited freedom and liberty for the people.

On the other hand, constitutionalism upholds the rule of law and ensures the freedom and liberty of citizens. It decentralises power by dividing it among different institutions, such as a parliament, and holds even the monarch accountable to a set of laws. Constitutionalism prevents the concentration of power in a single ruler and protects the rights and welfare of the people. John Locke, a prominent philosopher, questioned the concept of unlimited sovereign power and argued for legally limited government authority, a view that forms the basis of constitutionalism.

The key difference between absolutism and constitutionalism lies in the distribution of power and the recognition of individual rights and freedoms. In absolutism, the monarch holds supreme authority and is not bound by any laws or checks and balances. This can lead to tyranny and the suppression of individual liberties. In contrast, constitutionalism distributes power across various institutions, ensuring that no single entity wields absolute power. By doing so, constitutionalism safeguards the freedom and liberty of citizens by preventing the abuse of power.

Thomas Jefferson's quote, "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny: when the government fears the people, there is liberty," encapsulates the essence of the difference between absolutism and constitutionalism. Absolutism fosters an environment of fear and subjugation, while constitutionalism empowers citizens with rights and freedoms, holding the government accountable to the people.

In conclusion, the concepts of freedom and liberty are at the heart of the debate between absolutism and constitutionalism. Absolutism, with its concentration of power in a monarch, poses risks to individual liberties and can lead to arbitrary rule. Constitutionalism, on the other hand, safeguards freedom and liberty by decentralising power, establishing a system of checks and balances, and ensuring that the government derives its authority from the people.

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