Talk:Political absolutism

Is absolutism dependent on one person wielding absolute authority? Would it be correct to describe a system as absolutist if it was ruled by, say, a small but all-powerful governing council? -- FirstPrinciples 12:50, Sep 19, 2004 (UTC)

Re: Can absolutism involve a grouping of people
In response to the discussion question I would have to say absolutley. Examine what society considers democracy. Common perception is that it is a system of social choice. A system we have developed in order to represent the whole. Yet we choose one person to be the ruler of it all. A democracy is supposed to be of the majority yet we still find the need to have one central ruler. How is he is chosen doesn't matter, we still hand over power to an absolute authority. This ideal of enlightened absolutism essentially personifies what we call democracy. We break government up into little subsections and are allowed to "maintain our day to day".

absolutist
ji

The Power of Kings
Would it be correct to state that the rule of kings in ancient times, was such that a King could not commit murder as the kings word was law and as such when he commited an act it was automatically deemed legal. this is a direct form of political absolutism. He had absolute power and as such was above the Law or infact he was the LAW.