L 8 & 9 absolute monarchy Assumptions Flashcards
Assumptions for absolute monarchy
Cowardly
False
Brutal Fickle(CHange minds quickly
Fighting for power
Stealing from others
Disagreements
Argument
Consideration for absolute monarchy
Consider what they have to give up (freedoms)
Machiavelli’s views on the honesty of a prince
Machiavelli believes rulers should exercise honesty and keep their promises only when it suits their purposes. Machiavelli ultimately argues that rulers should bend a variety of common virtues to keep and/or expand their territory. Machiavelli also warns rulers against hatred from their subjects, however.
The ends justify the means
if a goal is morally important enough, any method of getting it is acceptable.
when is an absolute monarchy contract void?
When the king stops protecting the people and the people start doing bad things to the king
Strengths of absolute monarchy
Consistency of Rule (compared to democracies). People have better idea of what to expect in future.
Quick decisions are possible, especially compared to democracies which take time to debate.
Perception of strength is more possible than with democracies whose voters may change their mind easily
Weakness of absolute monarchy
Compared to democracies, Monarchs require a lot of unnecessary money (that could be used for other purposes)
Can lead to ineffective decisions compared to democratic systems because the monarch may not require (ask for) input or perspective from others
Cannot vote the monarch “out” if they are not doing their job
The monarch can sometimes hand-pick government representatives
Citizens have less freedom and voice (input) than in a direct democracy
Variations in monarchy unlikely because of hereditary succession of throne
Louis XIV of France- what does it reveal about absolute monarchy
Louis serves as an excellent example of the absolute monarch who commanded complete loyalty and imposed his vision on his country without consideration of the consequences.
