absolutism

Absolutist Monarchy

An absolutist monarchy consists of a monarch having ultimate governing authority in which their powers are not limited by laws or a constitution. As in the reign of James I, the people of England had to submit to the king’s will. A “legitimate” form of government should involve the people and their ideas. You lose the idea of legitimacy when the country’s leader begins to abuse their power. Absolutist monarchy has shown to leave too much opportunity for corruption.

Absolute monarchy begins with the idea that one has a “divine right.” James I was one of those Kings who believed in this “divine right.” James I believed God himself put him, and other Kings, on the throne to be His “lieutenants upon Earth.” James I believed he was in the same category as God, seeing as that God and him both “have power to create, or destroy, make, or vnmake, at his pleasure, to giue life, or send death, to iudge all, and to bee iudged….”

Like King James I’s reign, Charles I also believed he had the “divine right.” Charles was constantly trying to gain the upper-hand in dealing with Parliament, which lead to war. Charles was tried with treason or as stated in the reading “a wicked design to erect and uphold in himself an unlimited and tyrannical power to rule according to his Will, and to overthrow the rights and liberties of the people.” When asked whether he would plead guilty or not guilty he would not give an answer, believing that the whole trial was illegal and unjust. Charles reminded, or warned, the people in the court room that he was their King. After being asked quite a few times, the court went on as if he had plead guilty. The verdict was guilty and Charles I was sentenced to death.

Jean Domat wrote On Social ...

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...he reading was that in fact Montesquieu did not actually care whether a government was a monarchy or a democracy as long as there was a separation of powers. I believe this is true, whether there is a King, Queen, or President, they should not be the single ruler making all decisions with no input from the people or another branch of government.

In conclusion, I believe from reading and researching all of these men and their ideas, an absolutist monarchy is not a government that should be used today. An absolutist monarchy is not a legitimate government. I, as Montesquieu, believe there should be checks and balances within a government. After reading about King James I and King Charles I, they sound like a bunch of pompous men. I’m not sure how one gets the idea in their head that they indeed have a “divine right” and should be placed in the same category as God.