Absolutism (European history)

Monarchs often depicted as absolute rulers

Characteristics of "absolutism"

The nationalization process, which manifested itself, among other things, in the formation of standing armies, the establishment of a bureaucratic apparatus dependent solely on the ruler, the integration of the church into the state and a mercantilist economic system, is a characteristic of "absolutism". In addition, there would have been a change in the self-image of the baroque prince to an intensification of court life, which reached its heyday at the Versailles court of Louis XIV.

"Absolutism" is still commonly described as a widespread form of rule in Europe, which reached its peak in the Baroque era. This type of typification began with the historian Wilhelm Roscher, who first attempted to periodize the "absolutist age" in the 19th century and to assign the enlightened epoch a separate historical position. He put forward the thesis of a series of stages that begins with denominational absolutism, turns into courtly absolutism and finally ends in enlightened absolutism. The prime example of "courtly absolutism" is the rule of the French King Louis XIV. Later, pure "absolutism" developed into so-called "enlightened absolutism", in which general well-being became the primary goal of the otherwise absolute ruling monarch: The King saw himself as the first servant of his state (self-description by Frederick II of Prussia).

Philosophical foundation of absolutism

While the rulers claimed to have received their power by the grace of God, the original absolutism was already theoretically founded by the French jurist and professor of law Jean Bodin (1530–1596) as a response to the writings of the monarchists. Bodin first formulated the thesis of sovereignty, according to which the state – represented by the monarch - has the task of directing the common interests of several households in the right direction and thus exercising their sovereign power, that is, the state represents an absolute, indivisible and perpetual. Furthermore, in his work Six Books of the Republic, he stated the sovereign's claim to omnipotence, on the basis of which the later absolutist systems of rule were built. However, Bodin did not grant the absolutist rulers a right to princely arbitrariness, but rather demanded in his works respect for natural rights, the divine commandments and the protection of family and property.

Enlightened absolutism

Main article: Enlightened absolutism

Enlightened absolutism (also called enlightened despotism) refers to the conduct and policies of European absolute monarchs during the 18th and early 19th centuries who were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, espousing them to enhance their power. The concept originated during the Enlightenment period in the 18th and into the early 19th centuries. The term usually refers to an authoritarian leader who exercised their political power based upon the principles of the Enlightenment.

Enlightened monarchs distinguished themselves from ordinary rulers by claiming to rule for their subjects' well-being. John Stuart Mill stated that despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement.

Enlightened absolutists' beliefs about royal power were typically similar to those of regular despots, both believing that they were destined to rule. Enlightened rulers may have played a part in the abolition of serfdom in Europe.

The enlightened despotism of Emperor Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire is summarized as, "Everything for the people, nothing by the people".

References

Bibliography

• Anderson, Perry. Lineages of the Absolutist State. London: Verso, 1974.
• Kimmel, Michael S. Absolutism and Its Discontents: State and Society in Seventeenth-Century France and England. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books, 1988.
• Mettam, Roger. Power and Faction in Louis XIV's France. New York: Blackwell Publishers, 1988.
• Miller, John (ed.). Absolutism in Seventeenth Century Europe. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 1990.
• Wilson, Peter H. Absolutism in Central Europe. New York: Routledge, 2000.
• Zmora, Hillay. Monarchy, Aristocracy, and the State in Europe – 1300–1800. New York: Routledge, 2001.

References

1. West, Norman R.. "French Absolutism". Suffolk County Community College.
2. Rady, Martyn. (September 2025). "The Habsburgs: The Rise and Fall of a World Power".
3. Mettam, Roger. (October 2023). "Power and Faction in Louis XIV's France".
4. Kimmel, Michael S.. (1988). "Absolutism and Its Discontents: State and Society in Seventeenth-Century France and England". Transaction.
5. [[Wilhelm Roscher]] (1874). {{lang. de. Geschichte der National-Oekonomik in Deutschland. Munich: R. Oldenbourg. [https://archive.org/stream/geschichtedernat00roscuoft#page/380/mode/2up pp. 380 ff.]
6. Tobias Bevc (2007). {{lang. de. Politische Theorie. Konstanz: UVK. {{ISBN. 978-3-8252-2908-5. p. 62.
7. Ingram, John Kells. "Slavery. Part 12: Disappearance of Serfdom. France. England. Italy. Germany. Spain".
8. Mutschlechner, Martin. "Joseph II: The long-awaited son". World of the Habsburgs.