Absolutism, Parliamentary Systems, and Enlightened Despotism
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Comparison of European Political Systems
| Feature | Absolutism | Parliamentary System | Enlightened Despotism |
|---|---|---|---|
| Century | 17th Century | 17th Century | 18th Century |
| Motto | "L'état, c'est moi!" | N/A | Everything for the people, but nothing by the people |
| Power | Absolute control from villages to the Palace of Versailles | Shared between the monarchy and parliament | The king holds unlimited power |
| Justification | Divine Right: All power comes from God | People hold power but allow the king to rule | The monarch acts as a servant of the state |
| Geography | Especially France and most other countries | United Kingdom | Countries that did not develop the parliamentary model |
| Democracy | No level of democracy | High level of democracy, though limited by the king | N/A |
| Social Support | Nobles and the Church | Bourgeoisie and the wealthy Third Estate | N/A |
The Parliamentary System
- Prosperous Middle Class: The bourgeoisie was wealthy and sought freedom and political power.
- Protestantism: The ideology encouraged hard work, believing that hard work could lead to heaven, unlike the Catholic Church which emphasized obedience.
- Power Sharing: In Ireland and England, the monarchy held executive power (applying the law), while Parliament held legislative power (passing the law). The Magna Carta was the first document to limit the king's power.
- Civil War and the First Republic: A conflict occurred between Royalists (Catholic Nobles) and Parliamentarians (Protestant Bourgeoisie). Parliamentarians won and established a republic for six years before restoring the monarchy.
- Habeas Corpus Act: An arrested person has the right to appear before a judge with a lawyer to prove their innocence; this was a reaction against absolutism.
- Bill of Rights: The first modern constitution that limited royal power. It contains most human rights and served as a precursor to the French Revolution.
- The Netherlands: A parliamentary republic composed of seven provinces, each with its own parliament, which later became a monarchy.
- Poland: A monarchy elected by nobles, leading to internal conflict until Russia and Germany eventually invaded.