Dbq Absolute Government

It is known that a state without government is a state in chaos and confusion. What the best possible form of government should be has been debated by political philosophers over time. To vigorously ensure the well-being of a state, the government of that state should be absolute or one in which all power is vested in a single ruler. A monarch's authority to govern should be absolute because God establishes kings, decisions would be made quicker, and there would be less conflict between differing parties. God establishes kings; so therefore, a monarch's authority to govern should be absolute. In Document 3, Bishop Jacques Bénigne Bossuet writes that God establishes kings as his ministers and reigns through them over the people. The right to rule is derived directly from God, not from the consent of the people. Bossuet believes that the royal throne is not the throne of man, but in …show more content…
A monarch's authority to govern should be absolute because then there would be less conflict between differing parties. In Document 3, Bossuet writes that the prince need render no account to anyone for the orders he gives. Instead of having to discuss why a decision was made or discussing what decisions should be made, an absolute ruler can make a decision and no one would question him. John Locke believes that if the commands of a prince were opposed it would unhinge and overturn all politics, and instead of government and order, leave nothing but anarchy and confusion (Document 4). Differing parties are not only government officials but also the people being governed. In an absolute government the people should not oppose the ruler. Bousett believes men must obey princes as they obey justice itself, without which there can be no order or purpose in things (Document 3). The authority of a monarch should be absolute because there would be less conflict between differing