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Absolutism is a political theory which argues that one person (generally, a monarch) should hold all power. This is often referred to as the " Divine Right of Kings", implying that a ruler's authority stems directly from God. Prominent theorists associated with absolutism include Augustine of Hippo, Paul of Tarsus, Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, and Thomas Hobbes.Hobbes, in his philosophy of natural law, believed that absolutist rulers emerged according to the baser instincts of humans, specifically their fear of death and their need for power. In his philosophy, there could be no social order without the ceding of power to a single individual who would use power to restrain the violent and anti-social tendencies of the people.
To those who believed the absolute ruler was chosen by God, rebellion against the monarch was tantamount to rebellion against God. Hence, rule was considered "absolute," in that the ruler could not be challenged.
Later absolutist rulers sometimes tried to rule according to Enlightenment principles, and so are called enlightened absolutists. They attempted to allow their subjects to live more freely in their day-to-day lives, while still maintaining the autocratic monarchy.
Absolutism, as a term, did not appear until the 19th centuryAlternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical ( 18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801- 1900. Events The Little Ice Age ended, when the traditional "age of absolutism" had passed.
Some historians see the Absolutist Monarchs as a direct consequence of the centralization of the state under the New MonarchsNew Monarchs were the rulers of European nations during the 15th century who unified their nations, creating a stable and centralized government. It was the centralized governments created under the New Monarchs in the 15th century that allowed for an era.
Absolutist Monarchs
- James IJames VI of Scotland and I of England (Charles James) ( 19 June 1566 27 March 1625) was a King who ruled over England, Scotland and Ireland, and was the first Sovereign to reign in the three realms simultaneously. He ruled in Scotland as James VI from 24 and Charles I of EnglandCharles I ( 19 November 1600 30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 27 March 1625, until his death. He famously engaged in a struggle for power with Parliament; he was an advocate of the divine right of kings, but his foes in Parl
- Louis XIV of FranceHyacinthe Rigaud (1701 Louis XIV (Louis-Dieudonne) ( 5 September 1638 1 September 1715) reigned as King of France and King of Navarre from 14 May 1643 until his death. He was a minor when he inherited the Crown; he did not actually assume personal control
- Catherine ICatherine I (In Russian: I ) ( April 15, 1683/ 1684 May 17, 1727) was the second wife of Peter the Great and Empress of Russia from 1725 until her death. With Peter, she was also co-ruler from 1724 until his death in the next year. Catherine was born in J and Peter I of RussiaPeter I (Pyotr Alekseyvich) ( 9 June 1672 8 February 1725 [ 30 May 1672 28 January 1725 O. 1]) ruled Russia from 7 May ( 27 April O. 1682 until his death. Known as Peter the Great ( I , Pyotr Velikiy , he was at first a joint ruler with his weak and sickl
- Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia
- Charles XICharles XI or Karl XI ( November 24, 1655 April 5, 1697) was a King of Sweden ( 1660 1697). He was the only son of Charles X of Sweden and Hedwig Eleonora of Holstein-Gottorp. Karl XI Charles XI at the Battle of Lund. Painting by David Klocker Ehrenstrahl and Charles XII of Sweden
- kings of Denmark ( with Norway) 1665- 1848 (though some of them enlightened)
Absolutism, Political
