European political systems in the 18 th century

1. EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN THE 18 TH CENTURY

THE ANCIEN RÉGIME - It was a sociopolitical system established in France and in the majority of the European countries during the 17 th and 18 th centuries.

- It had 4 main characteristics: 1. Absolute monarchy - The monarch was king by divine right - He could exercise all the powers - Only God could judge his actions 2. State intervention in the economy - The economy was based on agrarian activities, some trade and handicrafts.

- The state took an active role in economic matters.

1. EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN THE 18 TH CENTURY 3. Argument from authority - knowledge and beliefs were based on the autority of powerul individuals or institutions: the monarchs, the Church, ancient texts.

- These ideas were condidered valid, it was not necessary to prove them.

4. The estate system - Society was divided into three estates - The first and second estates: - They were made up of nobility and clergy.

- They had many priviliges - They were supported by the taxes paid by the third state.

- The third estate : - It was made up of the bourgeoisie, wage-labourers and peasants.

- The bourgeoisie was a dynamic and powerful social group, but they were considered part of the lowest estate.

1. EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN THE 18 TH CENTURY

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM -The most common political system during the 17th century Europe was absolute monarchy,but new political models had emerged in the Dutch Republic and in England.

- These two states implemented parliamentary systems, in which the governing authority was limited by an assembly, but they created a different kind of parliamentary model.

1. EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN THE 18 TH CENTURY

1. Dutch Republic - When part of the Spanish Netherlands was independent from Spanish rule in 1581, the monarchy was replaced by a confederation of seven provinces, creating a federal republic.

- They were two levels of representation: - Each of the provinces had its own assembly - The States Genral was the federl assembly, with representatives from each pf the provinces.

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Each province appointed an executive known as the stadholder.

The same person could be stadholder for more than one province.

1. EUROPEAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS IN THE 18 TH CENTURY

2. England - After a period of revoutions in the 17 th century, the English Parliament passed the Bill of Rights in 1689.

- This established a system of government known as a parliamentary monarchy.

- Parliament was divided into two chambers: - The House of Lords, representing the nobility.

- - the House of Commons, representing the bourgeoisie

- The monarch’s powers were limited by Parliament.

- The king could not pass laws.