What does divine right of kings mean?
The concept of the divine right of kings is a historical political theory that asserts the absolute authority of a monarch, who is believed to be appointed by God to rule over his or her subjects. This theory was prevalent during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, particularly in Europe. The divine right of kings justified the absolute power of monarchs and their right to govern without the interference of any other authority, whether it be the church or the people. This article aims to explore the origins, implications, and eventual decline of this influential political idea.
The origins of the divine right of kings can be traced back to the writings of the 16th-century French philosopher Jean Bodin. In his work “Les Six Livres de la République” (The Six Books of the Commonwealth), Bodin argued that a monarch’s power was derived from God and that this divine authority was absolute. This idea was further developed by the English philosopher Sir Robert Filmer in his 1680 work “Patriarcha,” where he claimed that the authority of a king was derived from the original divine appointment of Adam, the first man, and that this authority was passed down through the generations to the current monarch.
The divine right of kings was used to justify the absolute power of monarchs, such as King Louis XIV of France, who was known as the Sun King. Louis XIV claimed that his power was derived from God and that he was answerable only to Him. This idea allowed monarchs to rule without fear of rebellion or interference from other political bodies. The divine right of kings also helped to maintain social order, as it was believed that the king’s authority was sacred and that any attempt to challenge it was a sin against God.
However, the divine right of kings faced criticism and opposition throughout its history. In the 17th century, the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution were both driven by a desire to limit the power of monarchs and to establish a more democratic form of government. The philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes were among the most influential critics of the divine right of kings. Locke, in his work “Two Treatises of Government,” argued that political power was derived from the consent of the governed and that monarchs were accountable to their subjects. Hobbes, in his work “Leviathan,” also criticized the divine right of kings, claiming that the state should be governed by a strong central authority to maintain order.
The Enlightenment era further eroded the divine right of kings. Philosophers such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau advocated for the separation of powers, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights. These ideas contributed to the eventual decline of the divine right of kings and the rise of modern democratic governments.
In conclusion, the divine right of kings was a political theory that justified the absolute authority of monarchs, claiming that their power was derived from God. While this idea was influential during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, it faced criticism and opposition, particularly during the Enlightenment. The decline of the divine right of kings paved the way for the establishment of modern democratic governments and the protection of individual rights.
