What were Cardinal Richelieu’s primary aims?
Cardinal Richelieu's primary aims were to strengthen the central authority of the French monarchy, reduce the power of the Huguenots and nobles, and enhance France's position in European politics through a strong foreign policy.
What factors contributed to the decline of Spain?
The decline of Spain resulted from several factors, including military overextension, economic mismanagement, loss of colonies, ineffective leadership, and competition from rising powers like Britain and France.
What is constitutionalism? Discuss the views of Juan de Mariana, as laid out in the reading for the lesson "Constitutionalism".
Constitutionalism is the principle that government authority is derived from and limited by a constitution, which outlines the rights of individuals and the powers of the government. It emphasizes the rule of law, protecting citizens from arbitrary governance. Juan de Mariana, a Spanish Jesuit and historian, argued for the importance of constitutionalism in ensuring justice and protecting individual rights. He believed that rulers should be held accountable and that the power of the government should be limited by law.
With the video of the lesson "Absolutism" to help you, what do you think Hobbes’ main arguments are in the excerpts you read?
Hobbes’ main arguments revolve around the necessity of a strong, centralized authority to maintain order and prevent chaos. He believed that in the state of nature, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" due to inherent human selfishness and conflict. To escape this, individuals must consent to a social contract, surrendering some freedoms to a powerful sovereign who ensures peace and security. Hobbes argued that absolute authority is essential for maintaining social order and preventing a return to anarchy.