Question

Compare and contrast absolutism with constitutionalism

Answer 1

Absolutism

• Absolutism had a monarchy based governance. The power was vested with the monarchical rulers - a king or a queen.
• No one had the right to appeal against the ruler's decisions. Monarchy mostly ended up in denying the basic rights of common people. Monarchs in absolutism had centralised authority and absolute sovereignty. They believed that ruling power was not a subject to be involved by the commons, it was the sole right of the monarchs to rule without getting judged. King Louis XIV was a blind follower of absolutism; He had said that "I am the state". Other famous rulers who had followed absolutism were Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.

Constitutionalism

• Constitutionalism opposed monarchy. A well defined constitution ensured the basic rights for common people. It is based on commonly agreed laws.
• Constitutionalism maintained a balance between proper governance and on ensuring people's rights. The officials who had the governing power were also belonged to the more superior law, which is also known as a constitution. The People of constitutionalism believed that government was derived from people and should be controlled by a higher law. America has been following American constitutionalism.