Absolutism in the Seventeenth Century

In the mid-16th century, much of Europe was solidifying its absolutist grip. Cardinal Richelieu, First Minister of State from 1624–1642, wanted to make France stronger. Despite being a Cardinal, he would make alliances with any religion to benefit France. His religion was secondary. He fought like a politician first and a Cardinal second. His control over France was so authoritarian that he sought to control every aspect of business. Even the production of goods like lace and buttons was being controlled by the state.

At the same time, one of the factors contributing to the decline of Spain was a decline of precious metals from the New World such as gold. Also, plagues reduced the population by about 4 million people. Spanish wars against the English, Dutch, and French were extremely expensive.

With all of this authoritarianism and decline across Europe, philosophers were trying to work out the proper roles and limitations of government. Constitutionalism is the belief in something that limits the power of government. Juan de Mariana is an example of someone who believed in constitutionalism. He believed that a tyrant King could be resisted with violence.

Contrary to Mariana, Thomas Hobbes was an English Philosopher who authored Leviathan. His beliefs were that humans were driven by passions such as anger, envy, and such. Humans are selfish and self-defeating. Humans are all equally capable of murder. One of his beliefs was that humanity needed an absolute ruler. Without one, humans are always pushing to increase their own power. This, in turn, caused fear which motivated others to increase their own power.