Features of Western Absolutism

Western Absolutism, which emerged in Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries, represented a form of governance characterized by centralized authority and the concentration of power in the hands of monarchs or rulers who claimed absolute control. This system was often based on the concept of divine right, wherein rulers believed their authority came directly from God and they were not accountable to any earthly entity. Monarchs exercised control over various aspects of governance, including the military, administration, judiciary, and economy. They established bureaucratic structures to govern their territories and employed propaganda to maintain their authority. The decline of Western Absolutism coincided with the emergence of constitutional monarchies and the Enlightenment’s emphasis on individual rights and limited government power.