Absolutism Vs Democracy Dbq Analysis
Chace Perkins
Justin Aube
AP World History
February 17th 2011
Which form of government was most effective during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries? Absolutism or Democracy? Everything that we as humans take part in during life has some sort of role with our government. What we eat is decided through government permits who allow or disallow people to produce. Where we work is closely monitored by the government, as well as the money we are allowed to bring home for our families. Who we are married to and how our children are taught is also rigorously observed and modified. In other words, our government has the power to change lives. However, at one time, our lives had to be governed by something. Back then, there were disputes …show more content…
Some of the writers would simply not agree that all men are created equally. One such Englishman named Montesquieu falls neatly into this category. He roughly states in Document six that absolutism is not the way to go. In his eyes, the best form of government is one that uses a separate three part system, considering how if one body contains all the power, then that body will become corrupt. The last, but certainly not the least of our writers is the renowned Machiavelli. As he is known for his lengthy scripts, he says in Document one, that all men are created ungrateful, fickle, deceitful, and selfish. Always the optimist, he speaks of how man has always kept alliances alive through money, not love. Love can be overridden, or altered, like the change in tides. The fact that men always are full of contempt and distrust for one another bolsters the fact that anything but one ruler is preposterous. The only flaw I find with the collection of names above, is the lack of a peasant. These men are very well off, or else their writings would not be so intellectual or advised. To hear the undaunted speech of a simple man, and the not-so-simple effects of governmental forms would bolster the value of this
Justin Aube
AP World History
February 17th 2011
Which form of government was most effective during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries? Absolutism or Democracy? Everything that we as humans take part in during life has some sort of role with our government. What we eat is decided through government permits who allow or disallow people to produce. Where we work is closely monitored by the government, as well as the money we are allowed to bring home for our families. Who we are married to and how our children are taught is also rigorously observed and modified. In other words, our government has the power to change lives. However, at one time, our lives had to be governed by something. Back then, there were disputes …show more content…
Some of the writers would simply not agree that all men are created equally. One such Englishman named Montesquieu falls neatly into this category. He roughly states in Document six that absolutism is not the way to go. In his eyes, the best form of government is one that uses a separate three part system, considering how if one body contains all the power, then that body will become corrupt. The last, but certainly not the least of our writers is the renowned Machiavelli. As he is known for his lengthy scripts, he says in Document one, that all men are created ungrateful, fickle, deceitful, and selfish. Always the optimist, he speaks of how man has always kept alliances alive through money, not love. Love can be overridden, or altered, like the change in tides. The fact that men always are full of contempt and distrust for one another bolsters the fact that anything but one ruler is preposterous. The only flaw I find with the collection of names above, is the lack of a peasant. These men are very well off, or else their writings would not be so intellectual or advised. To hear the undaunted speech of a simple man, and the not-so-simple effects of governmental forms would bolster the value of this