For a long time there is a discussion about the conditions and the time of appearance in the West, the absolute monarchy, its relation to social classes, especially the bourgeoisie, on the various stages of its development, about the similarities and differences between Russian autocracy and Western absolutism, as well as itshistorical significance.
Absolutism (from the Latin word "absolutus" - "unlimited", "independent"), or an absolute monarchy - appeared in the last period of the rise of capitalism and the expansion of feudal relations form the feudal state.
Features absolutism are the following.The head of state is considered to be the main source of legislative and executive power (the latter is carried out unit, subordinate).Monarch manages the State Treasury, sets taxes.
Other key features of the policy of absolutism - the highest degree of centralization of the state in terms of feudalism developed bureaucracies (tax, litigation, etc.).The last also includes the police and army more action.A characteristic feature of absolutism is as follows: activities typical of estate monarchy representative bodies in its environment loses its value and stops.
absolute monarchy as opposed to feudal landowners as its main social support was considered serving nobility.However, in order to ensure the independence of this class as a whole, they did not neglect the support still appears while the bourgeoisie does not claim authority, but economically strong and able to oppose the interests of the feudal lords of their own.
value absolutism
role of absolutism in history is not easy to assess.At some point, the Kings began to fight against separatism of the feudal nobility, destroyed the remnants of the former political fragmentation, subordinated to the state church, contributed to the development of capitalist relations and unity of the country in the economic sphere, the process of formation of national states and nations.Implement the policy of mercantilism, were trade wars, supported by a new class - the bourgeoisie.
However, according to some researchers, the absolutism of acting for the benefit of the bourgeoisie only as long as it was in the interests of the nobility, which is received from the economic development of the state income taxes (feudal rent), greatly increased, as well as the revival of economic lifegenerally.But the increase in resources and economic opportunities are mainly used to strengthen the country's military might.It was necessary to suppress incurred during the period large-scale popular movements, as well as foreign military expansion.
Features absolutism in France
characteristic for most European countries (with various modifications) features most clearly embodied absolutism in France.Here, in the late XV - beginning of XVI century.were the first elements of this form of government.In the days of Richelieu (in the period from 1624 to 1642 years.), Former first minister of King Louis XIII, and especially Louis XIV (1643-1715 gg.), An absolute monarchy reached its peak.King Louis XIV expressed the essence of this form of government the following simple definition: "The State - that's me!".
Absolutism elsewhere
specific features of absolutism in England (in its classical period, that is, during the reign of Elizabeth Tudor, 1558-1603 gg.) - To save the current parliament, and the absence of a standing armythe weakness of the bureaucracy in the field.
In Spain, where in the 16th century could not be developed elements of bourgeois relations, the main features of the policy of enlightened absolutism gradually degenerated into despotism.
in Germany, which was then divided, he is not in the scale of the state, and within specific areas of various principalities (princely absolutism).
main features of enlightened absolutism characteristic of some European countries in the second half of the 18th century, are discussed below.This form of government as a whole has not been uniform.Features and characteristics of absolutism in Europe depended largely on the balance of forces of the bourgeoisie and the nobility, the degree of influence on the policy of the bourgeois elements.For example, in Russia, the Austrian monarchy, the position of the German bourgeois elements were significantly lower than in France and England.
absolutism in our country
formation of absolutism in Russia is very interesting happened.Some researchers believe that the adoption in 1993 Constitution gave the president the authority, which can be compared with the power of an absolute monarch, and the current form of government is called democratic autocracy.What are the main features of absolutism, and you will see that these thoughts are not groundless.Though perhaps there is some exaggeration.
Russian absolutism arose not on a social basis, as in Western Europe.Since the turn of the 17-18 centuries (when finally confirmed the signs of the absolute monarchy) in the Russian bourgeois relations were undeveloped, there was no balance between the nobility and the bourgeoisie.
formation of absolutism in Russia began largely due to international factors, and the support it is therefore only one nobility.This is an important feature of absolutism in our country.External threat constantly hanging over Russia, required a strong centralized power and the rapid adoption of important decisions.However, at the same time it acted and restrictive trend.Boyars (the landed aristocracy), having strong economic positions, sought to exert their influence on the decision of those or other political decisions, as well as the opportunity to participate in this process.
It should be noted another feature of absolutism in Russia.The country has continued to operate veche tradition have prevailed (ie democracy), the roots of which can be found even in the lifetime of the Novgorod Republic and Old Russian state.They found expression in the work of the Zemsky Sobor (from 1549 to 1653 years).
period from the second half of the 16th and the first half of the 17th century was marked by the struggle of the two existing in our country trends.For a long time, the result of this confrontation was unclear, since the victory of the whip alternately one side or the other.During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, and during the reign of Boris Godunov, it would seem, it won absolutist tendencies, which in the hands of the monarch to give maximum power prerogatives.But during the Troubles and the reign of Mikhail Romanov (1613-1645 gg.) Restrictive trend prevailed, increased influence of the Zemsky Sobor and Boyar Duma, without whose support Mikhail Romanov did not make a single law.
serfdom and absolutism
establishment of serfdom, finalized in 1649, was a turning point, through which won absolutist tendencies.After it finally legislate nobility proved entirely dependent on the central government, represented by the monarch.She was one of the forces to ensure the dominance of the nobility over the peasants, keep in obedience to the latter.
But in return, the nobility was forced to renounce claims to personal participation in government and recognized himself as the servant of the monarch.This was a service fee from the government.Nobles have permanent income and power over the peasants in exchange for the waiver of claims in the public administration.It is not surprising that almost immediately after the legalization of serfdom convocations stopped Zemsky Sobor.At full strength the last one took place in 1653.
Thus, the choice was made, and for the sake of economic interests of the nobles sacrificed political.The winning absolutist tendencies.Making serfdom led to another important consequence: as there were no conditions for development (for example, disappeared free labor market), the formation of bourgeois relations braked sharply.The bourgeoisie in the country for a long time so do not evolved into a separate social class and, consequently, the social base of absolutism could only be noble.
relationship with law and justice in Russia
Another striking feature of the absolute monarchy in the country were related to laws and regulations.Selecting a ratio of illegal and legal means was made clear in favor of the former.Personal arbitrariness of the monarch and his inner circle became the main method of control.It began with the reign of Ivan the Terrible in the 17th century, occurred after the final transition to absolute monarchy, little has changed.
You can certainly argue that there was a body of law - Conciliar The Code.However, in practice the monarch (by Peter I, Alexis and others) and the highest state officials are guided in their actions the requirements of law, they did not consider themselves bound by them.
main method of governing the country - military force and duress.One can not deny the fact that during the reign of Peter I assumed a lot of laws pertaining to almost all spheres of governance (Table of Ranks, Military Product, regulations boards, General Regulation).But they have been designed exclusively for still subjects, Emperor himself did not consider itself bound by these laws.In fact, the practice of decision-making with the king differed little from that in the reign of Ivan the Terrible.The only source of power is still the will of the monarch.
Drinking Laws and regulations in other countries
not to say that the Russian so very different from the western countries (call features of absolutism, and you will see for yourself).Louis XIV of France (it is considered a classic absolute monarch) also applied voluntarism and arbitrariness.
But with all the contradictions of absolutism in Western Europe is still followed the path of active involvement in the regulation of the legal means of various public relations.Between law and personal tyranny gradually began to shift the ratio in favor of the former.It was promoted by a number of factors, most important of which was the recognition of the kings that rule the country is much easier when the rules of law is regulated as much as possible spheres.
In addition, the application of the management of State voluntarism implies the presence of the monarch high personal qualities: intellectual level, energy, willpower, determination.However, most of the rulers of that time is not much on the qualities reminiscent of Peter I, Frederick II or Louis XIV.That is, they could not successfully use the personal tyranny in government.
Going on the road more and more application of the law as the main instrument of government, absolutism in Western Europe embarked on a protracted crisis, and then completely ceased to exist.After all, in essence, he assumed legally unlimited sovereign power, and the use of legal controls led to the idea (which formulated the figures of the Enlightenment), the rule of law and rights, and not the will of the king.
enlightened absolutism
Features enlightened absolutism in our country embodied in the policy of Catherine II.In many European countries in the second half of the 18th century, becoming a popular idea of the "union of princes and philosophers", voiced by French Enlightenment philosophers.At this time, the scope of specific policies transferred abstract categories.It was assumed the reign of "sage on the throne", a benefactor of the nation, patron of the arts.In the role of enlightened monarchs made by the Prussian King Frederick II and the Swedish Gustav III, Austrian Emperor Joseph II, as well as the Russian Empress Catherine II.
main features of enlightened absolutism
main signs of enlightened absolutism in politics these rulers were expressed in the implementation of reforms in the spirit of the different ideas of the Enlightenment.The head of state, the monarch must be capable of new and reasonable basis to transform public life in the country.
main features of enlightened absolutism in various states were common.At the material time to carry out reforms without affecting the foundations of the existing feudal-absolutist system, it was a time when the Liberal government flirted with writers and philosophers.The bourgeois revolution in France destroyed this form of the state and the characteristics of the French absolutism, put an end to it in all of Europe.
hard way absolute monarchy
Different was the fate of absolutism.Since the main objective of this form of state - save the existing foundations of the feudal system, it inevitably losing its progressive features of absolutism and was a brake on the development of capitalist relations.
During the first bourgeois revolutions of ages 17-18 was swept away by the absolute monarchy in France and England.In countries with a slower capitalist development, transformation of the feudal-absolutist in the bourgeois-landlord monarchy.Poluabsolyutistsky system in Germany, for example, lasted until the November bourgeois-democratic revolution in 1918 absolutism in Russia ended the February Revolution of 1917
