Absolutism

Definition of Absolutism

Absolutism is the political regime in which the rule of law and customs does not constrain the ruler. It is the socio-political power that vests in an individual ruler. It is the centralized authority seen in monarchs, military dictators, and kings around the world.

Sociological Explanation

It is a political idea that one or more rulers should have absolute authority. A centralized sovereign individual wields ultimate control. This refers to a political system in which the dictator or monarch is not bound by customs or the rule of law in exercising power and which has a well-functioning centralized administration that allows the ruler’s will to be carried out.

An absolutist regime is defined by the fact that the ruling power is not susceptible to regularised challenge or check by any other agency, whether constitutional, parliamentary, spiritual, economic, or public mandate. The divine right of kings thesis is the most popular justification of monarchical absolutism.

According to Max Weber, the absolutist state was a progressive stage between feudalism and modern capitalism. In this stage, it established a bureaucratic administration, progressively obtained a monopoly on the lawful use of force, and then utilized that power to enforce law and order, and therefore predictability. While this is true in Western Europe, absolutism has slowed rather than accelerated progress in Eastern Europe and other world areas.

Example

The rule of supreme leader Kim Jong-un of North Korea is an example of absolutism.