Absolute Power

Definition

Absolute power refers to a political system where a single ruler holds unrestricted authority and control over the government and its subjects. This form of governance often leads to the centralization of power in the hands of one individual, resulting in limited checks and balances on their authority. The concept is particularly relevant to the period of constitutionalism in England, where the struggle between monarchy and parliamentary power highlighted the dangers and limitations of absolute rule.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During the reign of Charles I, his belief in absolute power led to conflict with Parliament, ultimately triggering the English Civil War.
2. The English Civil War highlighted the tension between the monarchy's claim to absolute power and the growing demand for parliamentary sovereignty.
3. The Glorious Revolution resulted in the overthrow of James II, solidifying the rejection of absolute monarchy in favor of constitutionalism in England.
4. After the Glorious Revolution, William and Mary accepted the Bill of Rights, which limited royal power and established certain civil liberties.
5. Absolute power was characterized by a lack of accountability, leading to abuses such as taxation without representation and arbitrary imprisonment.

Review Questions

• How did Charles I's belief in absolute power contribute to the outbreak of the English Civil War?
  • Charles I's belief in absolute power created significant tensions between him and Parliament. He attempted to govern without Parliament's consent, enforcing taxes and laws unilaterally, which fueled resentment among his subjects and members of Parliament. This conflict over authority and governance escalated into a full-blown civil war as Parliamentarians sought to limit his power and assert their rights.
• Evaluate the significance of the Glorious Revolution in altering the concept of absolute power in England.
  • The Glorious Revolution was pivotal in changing how power was viewed in England. By deposing James II and installing William and Mary as constitutional monarchs, it effectively ended the notion of absolute monarchy. The subsequent Bill of Rights established limits on royal authority, reinforcing parliamentary sovereignty and ensuring that future monarchs could not exercise unchecked power, thereby promoting a government based on law rather than individual rule.
• Assess how the tensions between absolute power and constitutionalism shaped political developments in Early Modern England.
  • The struggle between absolute power and constitutionalism profoundly influenced political developments in Early Modern England. Conflicts like the English Civil War revealed deep societal divisions over governance, as emerging ideas about individual rights and representative government clashed with traditional monarchical authority. The eventual establishment of constitutionalism not only curtailed royal prerogative but also laid the groundwork for modern democratic principles, fostering a political environment where governance was increasingly defined by laws and collective decision-making rather than by an all-powerful ruler.

Related terms

Divine Right of Kings:

The political doctrine that monarchs derive their authority directly from God, justifying their absolute power and rule.

Constitutional Monarchy:

A system of governance in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally established government, limiting the monarch's absolute power.

English Civil War:

A series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists in England from 1642 to 1651, centered on the issue of how England should be governed.