Divine Right of Kings
Definition
The Divine Right of Kings is the doctrine that kings derive their authority from God, not from their subjects, and cannot therefore be held accountable by them. This belief asserts that a monarch's legitimacy comes from their relationship with the divine, rather than any secular process or consent of the governed.
Analogy
Imagine a company where the CEO is chosen directly by the company’s founder and has complete control over decisions without needing approval from employees or shareholders. Just as employees can't question the CEO’s decisions due to this unique selection process, under the Divine Right of Kings, subjects cannot question the monarch's rule because it is believed to be sanctioned by a higher power.
Related terms
Monarchy: A form of government with a monarch at its head, often hereditary and sometimes absolute.
Absolutism: A political system in which a single ruler holds supreme power and authority over governance, often justified by the Divine Right of Kings.
Legitimacy: The general belief that a rule, institution, or leader has the right to govern
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