Monarchies and the Rise of Limited Government

Monarchies in Europe

• For centuries, monarchies were the dominant form of government in Europe.
• Power was typically transferred through family lines, meaning rulers inherited their positions.

Divine Right of Kings

• European monarchs in the 17th and 18th centuries used the concept of the "divine right of kings" to justify royal absolutism.
• Royal absolutism meant the monarch had total and unlimited power.

Louis XIV: An Example of Absolutism

• Louis XIV of France, known as the "Sun King," is a classic example of an absolute monarch.
• He believed he had the right to a life of extravagant wealth.

Reaction Against Absolutism

• Much of the philosophical foundation of modern democracy was developed as a reaction against the absolutism of monarchs like Louis XIV.

The Limitation of Monarchical Power

• Over time, the power of almost every monarch has been limited.

Constitutional Monarchy in Great Britain

• Great Britain has evolved into a constitutional monarchy.
• A constitutional monarchy is a government in which a constitution, or a set of written rules, limits the monarch's power.

Magna Carta and the Erosion of Royal Authority

• England's history as a constitutional monarchy began in 1215.
• In 1215, English nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta.
• The Magna Carta was a document that denied the king certain powers.
• Since the Magna Carta, laws and customs have consistently eroded the authority of the British monarch.

The Modern British Monarch

• Today, England's monarch is primarily a figurehead.
• The monarch serves as a ceremonial leader with little to no actual power.