Louis XIV and the Theories of Absolutism and Divine Right
Paul W. Fox
The political theory of Louis XIV is contained for the most part in King's manuscripts which repose Bibliothèque Nationale Paris. These include longest and fruitful source, Mémoires de pour l'instruction du Dauphin, some his letters, miscellaneous short pieces. Many several thousand additional letters wrote either have been destroyed or scattered far wide. There are a number editions works but they almost entirely literary designed popular market. In spite plethora literature on grand siècle (1638–1715), no systematic exposition has ever published, though authors touched ideas passing, including historian Lacour-Gayet who promised study Louis' completed only preliminary survey its antecedents. purpose this paper to attempt brief compass remedy deficiency. classic example thinker whose frequently alluded rarely examined. tendency refer him as prototype all autocrats suffers usual inadequacies stereotype; it overlooks subtleties theories greatly affect their interpretation. order avoid semantic wrangles may be useful follow broad lines Aristotle's analysis monarchy presented Politics , Book IV, chapter x.
The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science