There were many forms of government through the 17th and 18th century. Two forms of
government that were used a lot were democracy and absolutism. The form of government
during these centuries that was most effective was democracy.
Many rulers used absolutism in their countries. They believed rulers should have complete
control over the country. Prince Machiavelli believed the best way to rule was to be feared
and thought that the only way people would listen to him was if he was mean and scary.
He thought if he was nice and loved then they would not fear him and end up taking
advantage of him. (doc1) King James also believed absolutism was the way to go. He
believed in divine right and that it was the only way to keep the country in order. He
thought that kings were like gods and had the power to create or destroy anything that they
thought was ineffective.(doc 2) Another person who believed in absolutism was Thomas
Hobbes. He believed that people were naturally cruel unless controlled strictly by law. He
said that to escape the brutish life people entered into a social contract which was an
agreement by which they gave up the state of nature for an organized society. He also
supported the Stuart kings in their struggle against parliament.
In a democracy peoples thoughts were heard and used in a government. This government
was significant, because it didnt put to much rule in the government. King Louis believed
that the peoples interest and the state came first and believed in a democracy.(doc3)
