The idea of a single person holding dominion over all others to form an independent state is the driving force in state consolidation in 17th century Europe. Political development in this concept led to different methods of operating a government two prominent models being absolutism and constitutionalism. The first one centers on a strong centralized monarchy and the dominating royal power and the latter is based on a limited monarchy where the ruler is confined to the law and parliament. Theoretically, England planned to follow the constitutional model but the Stuart monarchs thought otherwise of this and conflicted with the Parliament throughout the century. This conflict centers on the evolution of England to becoming a world power.
Ending the Elizabethan era of England, James I, the first Stuart monarch, ascended to the throne but didn’t plan on using the theoretical model England sought. Believing in divine right, he ruled with little discussion with his court, which was full of scandal and control, and developed new levies called impositions to gain income. He brought the Anglican episcopacy under his control, hence his saying “No…
The clash between the two political models of absolutism and constitutionalism is the catalyst for the progression in English politics. With William and Mary as their rulers, the Parliament didn’t need to worry about a Catholic ruler and even better they were able to get their rulers to recognize the Bill of Rights of 1689. Finally able to limit the power of the monarch, making the ruler subject to the law and the consent of Parliament, the theory of a constitutional monarchy was put into action through this bill. This is the beginning of England’s, later Great Britain, rise to being a world power and setting an example that others will soon…
