Richelieu King And The State

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The King and the State Monarchy has been an institution that has influenced history and changed over the course of its pervasiveness, including changes about the role of a monarch within the governed society. If the role of the monarch changes, that means that the role or style of the government can change as well. Such as in the 17th century, when the ideals of having a core monarchy and a strong central state were coming to the forefront of the ideological stage. This is very evident with the French Cardinal Richelieu’s work, “The Role of the King”. His work is a proponent and outline of the ideals of a strong and absolute monarchy, and the desire for statebuilding, that became very prevalent in the 17th century and beyond. “The Role of …show more content…

Richelieu states, “apply yourself to the matters of greatest importance to your country, disdaining the little ones as beneath your thought and interest.” This illustrates the desire for strong governmental organization, obviously with the king being the highest power. The way Richelieu explains the organization here also allows for ‘servants’ under the king to help the government run smoothly in his name. Conveniently, by encouraging the organization in this way, Richelieu also carves out an indispensable place for himself among the king’s ‘servants’, ensuring that his services are always necessary in order to keep the smaller things in check while the king deals with the most important issues. This also shows the emergence of the organization of the government into an an apparatus of the state, not just an apparatus of the …show more content…

He was one of the closest men to the king, and served for a time as co-regent until the king reached majority. He also experienced his own share of unpopularity during that time, though he did survive to continue advising the king. With that in mind, Richelieu wanted to protect himself and his high rank. Therefore, when he cautions the king not to bother himself with “matters so small that no one in advance would suspect they might trouble you…” he is insisting that someone besides the king must deal with those matters. By telling the king that he should only trouble himself with the larger issues, Richelieu’s advice leaves smaller jobs open for himself, thus securing his p of the least qualities a great king should have.” Again, Richelieu is carving out his place, as well as the place of other politicians, and even encourages the king to “never insult his subordinates since they too are relatively weak.” Obviously the roles of advisor or diplomat were not new and revolutionary, but Richelieu is attempting to reinvent the types of governmental roles that could be played under the king, while at the same time attempting to convince the king just how important and valuable those roles

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