Sponsorship of mercantilist policies to accumulate national wealth. Ideological and Religious Drivers To legitimize their unprecedented authority, absolute monarchs actively cultivated ideological frameworks that framed their rule as divinely ordained.
Feudal Decline and the Forces That Fueled Absolute Monarchies
The transition was not merely a political event but a complex response to the challenges of the era, driven by the need for stability, economic consolidation, and military efficiency. By monopolizing the means of warfare—owning the artillery and the paid soldiers—the ruler eliminated the military power base of the nobility.
Historical Context and the Collapse of Feudal Authority Before the emergence of absolute rule, medieval Europe was characterized by feudalism, a decentralized system where power was fragmented among local lords and the Church. The concept of the "Divine Right of Kings," most famously articulated by theorists like Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, posited that monarchs were appointed by God and accountable only to Him.
Feudal Decline and the Perfect Storm of Factors That Fueled Absolute Monarchies
This form of governance concentrated authority in the hands of a single ruler, diminishing the influence of feudal lords and representative bodies. Understanding the specific factors that enabled this concentration of power reveals how societies moved from fragmented feudalism toward centralized nation-states.
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