1. Democracy vs. Absolutism
How do these two systems of government differ?

2. I. Democracy: A system of gov’t run by the people
A. Direct Democracy
1. Athens, Greece
2. All citizens vote on all proposed laws
3. Today: Switzerland
B. Indirect Democracy
1. Roman Empire
2. Citizens vote for representatives who act on their behalf to propose and pass laws
3. Today: United States

3. II. Absolutism
A form of gov’t where unlimited, complete power is held by a monarch (king or queen)
1. the monarch has absolute power, with no challenges to that power
2. Divine Right: the ruler’s power is given to them by God
B. Dominates Europe from 16th to 18th Centuries
Answer the following questions in complete sentences in your notes, then discuss with your group.
Consider the concept of divine right. Can monarchs do anything wrong? If someone challenges the ruler, who are you also challenging?

4. 1. increased fear and uncertainty
C. Causes of Absolutism
1. increased fear and uncertainty
2. higher taxes to pay troops
3. additional unrest and peasant revolts
D. Effects of Absolutism
1. religious worship & social gatherings controlled by ruler
2. increased size of rulers’ courts to appear more powerful
3. Rulers created bureaucracies to control their countries’ economies

5. III. Democracy vs. Absolutism
A. Democracy
B. Absolutism
Government is based on will of the people
Secularism: separation between church and state
Leaders selected through citizens’ vote
Citizens have the right to question or criticize gov’t
Gov’t exists to serve the people
Monarch has absolute power
Monarch combines political and religious power through divine right
Rulers selected based on family line
Subjects must accept and obey authority of the monarch
Gov’t exists for its own sake; people exist to serve the monarch

6. IV. Analysis of a Painting
Who is in the painting?
What symbols do you see? What do they mean/represent?
What is in the background?
Which type of government does this painting exhibit?
What is the overall importance or meaning of the painting?

7. King Louis XIV (1643-1715)of France
“L’etat, c’est moi” (“I am the state”)