Is monarchy by divine right a legitimate claim?

OCR: 11 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believes that monarchy by divine right is not the only legitimate form of government. He argues that various forms of government, including those with elected or limited monarchies, have historically existed and can be legitimate, depending on the structure and the people's consent. [1]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney argues that the power of kings is not absolute and is subject to laws and institutions, as demonstrated by the example of Spartan kings being subject to the Ephori and laws. He questions the idea of absolute monarchy and implies that power is not inherent or divine. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that monarchy by divine right is not a legitimate claim, because he argues that God has neither established kings over all nations by precept nor recommended them by example, and that nations owe nothing to kings merely as kings, but only what is owed by contract made with them. (key quote above) [3]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that the safety of a nation should not depend on the uncertain will or understanding of a prince, as kings often lack the inclination and capacity to govern rightly. He argued that laws, not the caprices of individuals, should govern, as laws are impartial and more solid foundations for the good of the people. "He is fometimes a child, and fometimes overburden'd with years. Some are weak, negligent, flothful, foolifh or vicious: others, who may have fomething of rectitude in their intentions, and naturally are not uncapable of doing well, are drawn out of the right way by the fubtilty of ill men who gain credit with them." [4]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believes that monarchy by divine right is not a legitimate claim. He argues that if a lawful king is distinguished by hereditary succession, it must either come from a universal or particular lord, both of which lead to absurdities and usurpations, thereby undermining the legitimacy of such claims. (key quote above) [5]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that there is no natural propensity in man or beast to Monarchy, suggesting that monarchy is not inherently legitimate. This belief is grounded in his assertion that government is instituted for the good of the governed, not the governor, and that power is a burden, not an advantage. "There is no natural propenfity in man or beast to Monarchy, p. 82." [6]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believes that monarchy cannot be properly regulated unless the powers of the monarch are limited by law. He argues that the idea of kings admitting the people to part of the government is absurd, and that the people must necessarily have all the power originally in themselves. "A Monarchy cannot be Tpefl regulated, unlefi the lowers of the Monarch are limited by Lalp." [7]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believes that the idea of monarchy by divine right is pernicious and dangerous. He argues that such a doctrine would encourage vice and crime among rulers and make no king safe in his throne. [8]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believed that absolute monarchy cannot provide stability and is inherently flawed, as it is subject to the virtues or vices of the prince or his favorites. He argues that such governments are accompanied by weakness and misery, and that stability can only be achieved through mixed monarchies regulated by laws. [9]
• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believes that claiming divine right for monarchy is fraudulent and cannot be brought into practice. He argues that such claims are made only in theory to protect his 'beloved Viflanys' and that no man can execute the judgments of God without a precise word directed to him, which would otherwise make him an enthusiast. "he dos foully prevaricate, in alledg- ing that which he thinks cannot be of any effect... it appears to be full of Fraud, confefling only in the Theory, that which he thinks can never be brought into practice" [10]

What cuts against it

• BELIEF (undated; OCR of an old printing): Algernon Sidney believes that monarchy by divine right is legitimate only if the monarch possesses exceptional virtues that benefit the commonwealth. He argues that such a monarch is 'above all by Nature' and 'ought to reign' because he 'bears in his Perfon the Divine Character of a Sovereign.' However, he also states that if no such virtuous individual exists, there is no natural king, and the prerogatives of monarchy vanish. [11]

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Algernon Sidney argues that monarchy by divine right is not inherently legitimate. He challenges the idea that kings derive their authority from divine sources. [5]

2. He questions the legitimacy of hereditary succession as a basis for monarchy, suggesting it leads to absurdities and usurpations. [5]

3. He argues that the power of kings is not absolute and is subject to laws and institutions, as demonstrated by the example of Spartan kings being subject to the Ephori and laws. [2]

4. He believes that God has neither established kings over all nations by precept nor recommended them by example, and that nations owe nothing to kings merely as kings, but only what is owed by contract made with them. [3]

5. He argues that the safety of a nation should not depend on the uncertain will or understanding of a prince, as kings often lack the inclination and capacity to govern rightly. [4]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: PARTIAL

The record is silent on whether Algernon Sidney would support or oppose specific modern claims of divine right to monarchy. However, his stated principles suggest that he would likely reject such claims as illegitimate.

Extrapolation: Algernon Sidney would likely reject the legitimacy of monarchy by divine right, arguing that such claims are not supported by divine precept or example and that the power of kings should be subject to laws and the will of the people.

Competing readings: One reading is that Algernon Sidney would reject divine right monarchy as illegitimate, based on his arguments against hereditary succession and the need for laws to regulate power. Another reading is that he might acknowledge the legitimacy of a virtuous monarch who benefits the commonwealth, as suggested in his discussion of exceptional individuals. The record itself supports the first reading more clearly.

Confidence: Moderate, based on the partial coverage of the question in the record and the quality of the sources, which are rough OCRs of old printings.