Absolutism and Democracy Case

Bryana Santos

Period 3

Different kinds of government systems have been used throughout world history. Government means law, order, and control. In Europe, absolute monarchy ruled France and Russia; this is called absolutism. Absolutism means total power under one ruler. In England, people tried to limit the power of the monarch and tried to protect some rights of the citizens. The citizens prefered democracy which means rule by many, government by people. Absolutism and democracy had its advantages and disadvantages.

Absolutism and democracy were both used in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. The two forms were effective in their own ways. As seen in document 1, in the book The Prince by Machiavelli, the only way to rule was to be feared by the people, then loved. Machiavelli said, "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 suggest it." In document 2, King James I of England in 1609 also believed absolutism was the way to rule. He believed in divine right; he thought all kings were gods. Divine right means that kings believe they get all authority from gods. Absolute monarchs believed absolutism was the way the government should be, because they had all the power. The kings didn't believe in giving people many rights, because the people might rebel against them.

As can be seen, absolutism and democracy had their advantages and disadvantages but democracy was the most effective way to govern in the seventeenth and eighteenth century. Democracy gave people the right to vote for their rights.