2. POLITICAL ABSOLUTISM
Political absolutism is a
form of autocracy, in which
all power is concentrated in
the hands of one person.
During the 17th, 18th, and
19th centuries, autocracy
typically described a
monarchy, or form of royal
governance.
Emperors, kings, and
queens could all be
King Leopold I of Belgium
3. ELEMENTS OF AUTOCRACY.
Difficulty of autocracy:
maintaining a grip on power.
Autocracies typically rely on
preexisting powers – the
priesthood, nobles, and royalty –
to assert control over the state.
Others use divine right to assert
their control – that is, that they
are endowed by God with the
right to rule.Louis XIV as the Sun King.
4. DIVINE RIGHT
Divine Right is the idea that
a King has been specially
selected by God to rule over
his people.
Catholic interpretation: Old
Testament talks of a lineage of
kings created by God. New
Testament shows Peter
submitting to the rule of the
Roman Emperor. Popes King
Charles I.
5. DIVINE RIGHT (CONT.)
Protestant Interpretation: King endowed to rule by God
through a Christian coronation. Anointed by the
Archbishop of Canterbury.
6. BISHOP JACQUES BENIGNE
BOSSUET
Court preacher for Louis XIV – justified his
absolute power through divine right.
Tutor to the King’s oldest child, Dauphin,
who was a bit of a jerk.
Argued in his political treatise that kings
receive their power from God, making him
a favorite in Louis’ court.
8. MODERN DAY ABSOLUTISM
In the 20th and 21st centuries,
there have been many forms
of political absolutism
internationally.
Kim Jong Un – North Korea
Robert Mugabe – Zimbabwe
Fidel Castro – Cuba
Joseph Stalin – USSR
Adolf Hitler – Nazi Germany