Absolute, Liberal, Socialist, and Welfare States: A Comparative Analysis

Absolute, Liberal, and Socialist States

The Absolute State (16th-17th Centuries)

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, social and political problems and revolts from nobles, cities, and farmers increased the power of kings. Authoritarian monarchies evolved into absolute monarchies where kings held absolute power. These kings concentrated executive, legislative, and judicial functions. The absolute state was defined by the rule of law, applying to all its components.

The Liberal State

The liberal state centers on the individual. Its function is to create a legal framework enabling free action. Individuals possess inherent rights, prior to and more important than the state, which must respect these rights. The state creates laws to protect individual rights, allowing individuals to pursue their interests through economic competition and free trade. Separation of powers is encouraged to avoid corruption. Eventually, universal suffrage and majority rule became integral to liberal and democratic states.

The Socialist State (19th Century)

The Industrial Revolution created appalling working and living conditions for the proletariat. The lack of worker protections led to protest movements demanding better conditions. These movements clashed with the bourgeoisie, more interested in economic advantage than liberal ideals. Socialist thought countered liberalism's focus on individual freedom by advocating for material equality and sufficient economic and social conditions for all. This required community ownership of the means of production, controlled by the community, not individuals. The state's role was to ensure equal access to economic and social rights.

The Welfare State (20th Century)

The welfare state, a development of the liberal democratic state, expanded social services. The state defends social, economic, and cultural rights (second-generation rights), intervening in the economic and social order to achieve equality of opportunity, full employment, and access to basic needs for vulnerable groups.

Basis of Absolute State Arguments

Arguments for absolute rule often cite religion, asserting that power comes from God. This perspective views humans as incapable of self-governance due to original sin or inherent wickedness, requiring strong rule to maintain order. However, absolutism had limits imposed by customary law and moral and natural law.

Thomas Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes described a state of nature where humans are absolute masters of themselves, dominated by self-preservation. This leads to a "war of all against all." Society arises from a rational decision to cooperate, achieving order and peace through an agreement where individuals relinquish rights to a sovereign authority in exchange for security. This agreement is irrevocable because humans remain inherently selfish.