Patriarcha by Robert Filmer is a seminal political work from the 17th century that argues for the legitimacy of absolute and hereditary monarchy. Filmer's central thesis is rooted in the concept of patriarchalism, drawing parallels between the authority of a father within a family and the authority of a monarch within a state. He contends that the authority of the monarch is divinely ordained, passed down through a hereditary line, and, as such, should be absolute and unquestioned. Filmer vigorously opposes alternative theories of government based on popular sovereignty or consent, asserting that these ideas undermine the stability and divine order inherent in monarchy. His work became influential in the political debates of the time and contributed to discussions on the divine right of kings.
Patriarcha remains a key text in the history of political philosophy, shedding light on the intellectual climate of the 17th century and the ongoing debate surrounding the nature of political authority and legitimacy. Filmer's defense of monarchy as a God-given institution and his critique of other forms of governance continue to be studied and analyzed by scholars interested in the development of political thought and the role of monarchy in early modern political theory.
