Divine right of kings

Definition

The divine right of kings is a political doctrine that asserts that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, making the king answerable only to God and not to his subjects. This belief was used to justify absolute monarchy, claiming that rebellion against the king was akin to rebelling against divine will.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The concept of the divine right of kings was prominent in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, particularly among monarchs like James I of England and Louis XIV of France.
2. This doctrine was often used to legitimize the monarchy's power and suppress dissent, arguing that since the king was appointed by God, challenging his rule was morally wrong.
3. Critics of the divine right theory included philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who argued for government based on the consent of the governed instead.
4. The decline of the divine right of kings coincided with the rise of constitutional monarchies and democratic ideals, particularly after events such as the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution.
5. In the Americas, ideas related to the divine right were challenged during the Revolutionary War, as colonists sought independence from British rule based on Enlightenment principles.

Review Questions

• How did the divine right of kings justify the actions of absolute monarchs in Europe?
  • The divine right of kings provided a powerful justification for absolute monarchs by claiming their authority came directly from God. This belief allowed kings to rule without accountability to their subjects and resist any challenges to their power. It framed rebellion against a monarch as not just a political act but a sin against divine authority, reinforcing the legitimacy of absolute rule.
• What were some philosophical arguments against the divine right of kings, and how did these contribute to changing views on governance?
  • Philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau criticized the divine right of kings by advocating for governance based on the consent of the governed. Locke argued that legitimate government requires the approval of its people, while Rousseau emphasized collective will. These ideas contributed to the development of constitutional monarchies and democratic systems, challenging traditional notions of unaccountable monarchical power.
• Evaluate the impact of the divine right of kings on political revolutions in the 18th century, particularly in relation to emerging democratic ideals.
  • The divine right of kings significantly influenced political revolutions in the 18th century by providing a target for revolutionary movements. As Enlightenment ideas gained traction, people began to reject monarchical claims to absolute power grounded in divine authority. Events like the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution demonstrated a shift toward democracy and individual rights, challenging long-standing beliefs about sovereignty and governance rooted in divine will. This clash between old and new ideologies ultimately paved the way for modern democratic principles.

Related terms

Absolute Monarchy: A form of government where a single ruler holds supreme authority, unrestricted by laws or opposition, justified by divine right.

Social Contract: A theory in political philosophy that suggests individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some freedoms to gain social order, often contrasted with divine right.

Theocracy: A system of government in which priests or religious leaders govern in the name of a deity, sharing similarities with the divine right of kings in justifying authority through divine will.