Was the development of Was the development of the modern nation state the modern nation state (absolute or (absolute or constitutional) a better constitutional) a better alternative to the medieval alternative to the medieval political forms?political forms?

Divine Right (Medieval)Divine Right (Medieval)From Jacques Bénigne Bossuet, Politics Drawn from the Very Words of the Holy Scriptures, 1678

Book II: or Authority…

Accordingly we have established by means of Scriptures that monarchical government comes from God... . That when government was established among men He chose hereditary monarchy as the most natural and most durable form. That excluding women from the sover eign power was only natural....

 

Book III: The Nature Royal Authority

First Article: Its essential characteristics.… First, royal authority is sacred; Second, it is paternal; Third, it is absolute; Fourth, it is subject to reason.... 

Modern Nation-State Features

(Michael Oakeshott) • Well Defined piece of Territory• Common Residence within a Certain Area of Territory• Certain Sentiment of Solidarity (Common blood, language, religion…)• Government Exclusively its Own (Ruled by a single centralized authority,

No part of territory and no person is exempt from this single ruling authority, Single Hierarchy of courts)

• Government makes law, administers law and applies law to particular cases

• Ruler, Government, recognized to be custodian of law and dispenser of justice

• Government is recognized to be sole source of power• Organized civil and police services• Military forces easily mobilized and supplied with uniform and military

equipment• Efficient means of recordkeeping and means to communicate• Ability to collect revenue• Control over the issue of money• Common language

Louis XIVLouis XIV

VersaillesVersailles

VersaillesVersailles

Chariot of ApolloChariot of Apollo

Crown of Louis XIVCrown of Louis XIV

THE 17TH CENTURY ARMY

NEW FRANCE

Palace @ PotsdamPalace @ Potsdam

Palace GroundsPalace Grounds

GERMAN TROOPSGERMAN TROOPS

WAR OF AUSTRIAN SUCCESSION

AUSTRIAN WAR

FREDERICK ON HORSEBACKFREDERICK ON HORSEBACK

SEVEN YEARS WAR

FREDERICK THE GREATFREDERICK THE GREAT

Peter the GreatPeter the Great

EXPANSION OF RUSSIA UNDER PETER THE GREAT

Peter the Great at the Battle of Poltava

St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg

URBAN DWELLERS IN MOSCOW

ST. PETERSBURG PALACEST. PETERSBURG PALACE

PALACE SQUAREPALACE SQUARE

The Family of Henry VIII

From left to right are as follows: Philip and Mary with War, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Elizabeth I with Peace and Plenty

ELIZABETH I (TUDOR)ELIZABETH I (TUDOR)

JAMES I (Stuart)JAMES I (Stuart)

CHARLES ICHARLES I

ST. JAMES PALACE-THRONE ROOMST. JAMES PALACE-THRONE ROOM

EXECUTION OF CHARLES IEXECUTION OF CHARLES I

CHOOSING SIDES IN THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

OLIVER CROMWELLOLIVER CROMWELL

WILLIAM & MARYWILLIAM & MARY

Was the development ofWas the development of

the modern nation statethe modern nation state

(absolute or constitutional)(absolute or constitutional)

a better alternative to thea better alternative to the

medieval political forms?medieval political forms?