For episode 19, see here
The Theory of the Nation State
XX. England: Preparation for Civil War
A. Lines between rival political ideas not clearly drawn in early 17th Century
England.
1. No need to support royal absolutism with the theory of divine right.
2. None had to seek theoretical defense for right to resist.
B. Thomas Moore's Utopia (1516) was political satire expressing dislike of
growing acquisitive society.
1. Harked back to Platonic conception of community of cooperative
classes.
2. Illustrated "looking back" from coming economic age.
C. Richard Hooker argued that Puritan refusal of obedience to establish church
was denying all political obligation.
1. Reason was accepted universally as soon as it was understood.
2. Law of reason was manifestly binding on all men.
3. Man cannot satisfy all their needs in isolation and therefore form society.
4. Ground of political obligation is common consent by which men agreed
to be ordered by someone.
5. Society could never withdraw its consent to authority it has set up after
the fact.
6. Ecclesiastical law of England not contrary to Christian faith and therefore
binding -- as was all law -- upon all Englishmen.
D. Calvinists and Catholics objected to royal supremacy in the Church as an
invasion of it's spiritual independence.
E. Independents split church from state, seeing the former as a voluntary
association.
F. Erastianism of John Seldon saw the relationship between religion and the
king in utilitarian, secularist and rational terms not common or typical
for times.
G. King, courts and Parliament each seen as having inherent powers, none
claimed supremacy until the civil war.
H. First conflict between king and courts over royal prerogative.
1. Francis Bacon defended the right of the King to overrule the courts.
2. Chief Justice Edward Coke argued for supremacy of common law over
the King and Parliament.
3. Coke saw law as indigenous growth within the realm that defined all
rights and obligations.
Next week: Thomas Hobbes
The Theory of the Nation State
XX. England: Preparation for Civil War
A. Lines between rival political ideas not clearly drawn in early 17th Century
England.
1. No need to support royal absolutism with the theory of divine right.
2. None had to seek theoretical defense for right to resist.
B. Thomas Moore's Utopia (1516) was political satire expressing dislike of
growing acquisitive society.
1. Harked back to Platonic conception of community of cooperative
classes.
2. Illustrated "looking back" from coming economic age.
C. Richard Hooker argued that Puritan refusal of obedience to establish church
was denying all political obligation.
1. Reason was accepted universally as soon as it was understood.
2. Law of reason was manifestly binding on all men.
3. Man cannot satisfy all their needs in isolation and therefore form society.
4. Ground of political obligation is common consent by which men agreed
to be ordered by someone.
5. Society could never withdraw its consent to authority it has set up after
the fact.
6. Ecclesiastical law of England not contrary to Christian faith and therefore
binding -- as was all law -- upon all Englishmen.
D. Calvinists and Catholics objected to royal supremacy in the Church as an
invasion of it's spiritual independence.
E. Independents split church from state, seeing the former as a voluntary
association.
F. Erastianism of John Seldon saw the relationship between religion and the
king in utilitarian, secularist and rational terms not common or typical
for times.
G. King, courts and Parliament each seen as having inherent powers, none
claimed supremacy until the civil war.
H. First conflict between king and courts over royal prerogative.
1. Francis Bacon defended the right of the King to overrule the courts.
2. Chief Justice Edward Coke argued for supremacy of common law over
the King and Parliament.
3. Coke saw law as indigenous growth within the realm that defined all
rights and obligations.
Next week: Thomas Hobbes
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