Democracy Vs. Absolutism

Democracy vs. Absolutism

Democracy is a system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. Absolutism is the acceptance of or belief in absolute principles in political, philosophical, ethical, or theological matters.

Democracy originated in 5th century B.C. in Athens, Greece. Known European democratic countries are; Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Notable Democratic leaders include Solon, Cleisthenes, Aristotle, John Locke, William Penn, Susan B. Anthony, Emmeline,Pankhurst, Millicent Fawcett, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Franklin Roosevelt. Absolute Monarchy originated in 16th Century A.D. in Great Britain. Notable leaders would include Charles I, Frederick Williams, James VI and Louis XIV of France.

In the 18th and 19th century democracy was a more effective form of government. In the words of Niccolo Machiavelli, “ Men have less hesitation in offending a man who is loved than one who is feared, for love is held by a bond of obligation which, as men are wicked, is broken whenever personal advantage suggests it, but fear is the dread of punishment, which never relaxes,”. What he means is that people will not think twice to stab you in the back if they have a genuine, true relationship with that person, but if you were to be feared, they would defend you so they would not die. The government could only change if people would let go of their fear.

King Louis XIV thought that the more you give to the people, the more they will want from you and the more that they will try to take, and then they won’t have the best interests for the state. Since he had everything that he wanted, he would not be corrupted, leaving himself clearheaded in the matters of the state. “ The head alone has the right to deliberate and decide, and the functions of all other members consists only in carrying out the commands given to them, opposed to absolutism which stresses all control and power is given to one man only.

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