An absolute monarchy is a form of government where the sovereign head of state wields unrestricted authority over his/her subjects. These types of governments are mostly hereditary, as was the case in France, where the leadership passed down among the members of the Bourbon family. Leadership was, however, influenced by the nobility, the clergy, and the other social classes existing within the society.
Leadership of the kingdom was passed down to Louis XV much earlier...
An absolute monarchy is a form of government where the sovereign head of state wields unrestricted authority over his/her subjects. These types of governments are mostly hereditary, as was the case in France, where the leadership passed down among the members of the Bourbon family. Leadership was, however, influenced by the nobility, the clergy, and the other social classes existing within the society.
Leadership of the kingdom was passed down to Louis XV much earlier when the king was still very young and unable to rule. The responsibility was hence passed on to his uncle and later to his teacher, Cardinal Fleury, until the king came of age. During his reign, Louise XV made an attempt at reforms with regard to foreign policy and taxation but this was met with much resistance from the aristocracy. The same situation occurred soon after the ascension of Louis XVI to the throne. Both monarchs faced considerable resistance from the aristocracy with regard to leadership and policies.
The two leaders failed to read the mood of the people and this led to an increase of public resentment. Louis XV waged wars while Louis XVI failed to address extreme spending, which eventually led to a deteriorating economy and uproar from the public. Louis XV was buried a publicly despised man while Louis XVI died under the guillotine during the French Revolution.
The two leaders differed with regard to Enlightenment ideas. King Louis XV was not as receptive as his successor Louis XVI. Louis XV dissolved the parliament while Louis XVI reinstated it as part of his populist agenda.
In an absolutist monarchy existing in the Enlightenment era, it was important for the monarch to avoid extreme spending and engage strategies to ensure a stable economy. This would reduce public debt and the chance of mass action by the people. It is imperative to read the mood of the people and understand their suffering or challenges; this would ensure swift resolution of such issues. It is also important to be decisive and assertive in leadership; if a monarch fails to do this, he or she would be exposed to manipulation, like in the case of Louis XVI, who was known to be indecisive and suffered manipulation at the hands of the parliament and his advisers.
These attributes are important because they would ensure the voice of the masses is heard and their issues are dealt with adequately. Enlightenment ideals also seek to reinforce individual rights and freedoms and thus it is important that the masses are included in government decision making. Firmness exercised by the monarch would establish a sense of confidence among the people and this would guarantee the state's stability.
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