The Politics of 17th Century Europe as a Period of Absolutism

Though 17th century Europe was illustrious for many things and characterized by social, intellectual, and religious advancements, hierarchical power shaped how the society/culture developed seeing as though the monarchs in control held all means of power within the country. The principal political structure that greatly affected history and the development of Europe throughout the century is absolutism. Under the rule of an absolute monarch, there were no governing bodies to share power with, nor was there a constitutional or legal restriction on it. When speaking of a principle such as absolutism, however, not every monarch who attempts to incorporate it and exercise authority to that extent succeeds, though the politics within this time period can be considered an 'Age of Absolutism', seeing as a number of rulers attempted to exercise their authority to this extent. Accordingly, this difference in authority style can be seen between France and England politics. 

Louis XIV, notorious for his tyrannical rule within France, believed in utter power with the 'it is legal because I wished it' state of mind. In England, however, this unrestricted political structure was not as successful beginning with the rule of James I and continuing with Charles I, both of which underwent a number of struggles during their reign. Aside from specific rulers, there are other factors that contribute to this absolutist attitude, such as Hobbes' influential work, The Leviathan.

When looking at France, one can find absolutist Louis XIV on the throne from 1643-1715, 'consciously fostering the myth of himself as the 'Sun King', the source of light for all of his people' and very distinctly believing in the theory of absolute monarchy. This can be proven when the ruler states:

'I have been pleased to entrust the government of my affairs to the late Cardinal. It is now time that I govern them myself. You [secretaries and ministers of state] will assist me with your counsels when I ask for them. I request and order you to seal no orders except by my command,…I order you not to sign anything, not even a passport…without my command; to render account to me personally each day and to favor no one.'

This ever-growing belief of 'L'etat c'est moi' or 'I am the state' proved to be very dangerous as there were no restrictions to his power. Letting it be known that he held absolute control over France, Louis was not only his own first Prime Minister, but he also dominated every other political department. The Council of State had gradually lost their importance, and for many years all real decisions had been made by the king in consultation with the Chancellor, and the Controller-General, and the four Secretaries of State. But towards the end of the reign of ministers, even in their own departments, were overshadowed by the king, who more and more assumed the responsibility of the whole policy and administration of the kingdom.

This determination to hold all political power further compelled Louis to maintain the religious harmony, which had been long considered an area of utter monarchical control. The desire to keep this power, however, led him into conflict, beginning with the refusal to allow Protestants to practice their faith in Catholic France. He may have been motivated by religion, though it is more likely that Louis felt the minority undermined his political authority, believing in the motto 'one king, one law, one faith.' This anti-Protestant policy, aimed towards the conversion of Huguenots and other protestant organizations to Catholicism escalated by 1681 to a 'policy of forced conversions.' During his rule, Louis implemented a number of reforms designed to bring order to the French government and though the Sun King became known for his dominating approach to enforcing foreign policies and constructing France into a threat to other countries through expansion, he also created institutions to keep the French culture alive.

While many turned to Louis XIV as a role model for the modern government, countries such as England opposed this role model and refrained from issuing absolute authority. Successor of Elizabeth, James I ruled from 1603–1625, using his belief in the divine right of kings - a political and religious doctrine of political power, asserting that a monarch is subject to supernatural authority deriving his power from God - to exercise his jurisdiction as king. This mainly justified tyrannical rule as divinely ordained punishment, administrated by rulers. In The True Law of Free Monarchies (1598), James proclaimed his own ideas of kingship, explaining that for scriptural reasons, kings are higher beings than other men, saying 'Kings are called gods…because they sit upon God His throne in earth”. While he successfully ruled Scotland with order, the same was not true in England. Unable to deal with parliament and the refusal from the House of Commons to increase taxes ultimately crippled the royal finances. James' desire for absolute authority and mismanagement of the kingdom's funds provided a foundation for the failure of his sons attempt to exercise an absolutist system as well.

During the reign of Charles I, 1625-1649, parliament began its own army as a means of putting an end to the attempts of creating an absolutist country, the English Civil War (1642–1651) between Parliamentarians ('Roundheads') and Royalists ('Cavaliers') was created over the manner of England's governance. After being turned over to the English parliamentary army in 1647 by the Scottish Presbyterian rebels, Charles was held prisoner for two years until Oliver Cromwell, Puritan parliamentary general executed him for treason January 30, 1649. This proved that Charles was an unsuccessful ruler by failing to prevent his people from revolting against him, ultimately ending in his demise and a failing political system for his successor to repair.

Following the agonies of the English Civil war and Charles' execution, British philosopher and theorist, Thomas Hobbes' (1588-1679) concluded that absolutism was the most logical and effective form of governance. Within his most influential work The Leviathan (1651), Hobbes expressed his views on human nature, believing that all men created are 'innately selfish and grasping'.

This work became a basis for later political figures, convincing them that only absolute rule could provide an environment for growth and development within a society.

Politics could be characterized as a number of things, but the most prominent feature and way of rule is absolutism, which flourished throughout Europe in the 17th century. It was not, however, successful amidst all who implement this type of authority within the government. Seen in France with Louis XIV, taking his position as king with complete seriousness became seen as a tyrant, whereas in England, James I and Charles I both proved unsuccessful in their governance.