Theory of universal monarchy

Hellow friend today we will read about the theory of universal monarchy that is written by the dante alighieri.

Dante was born in Florence in 1265 AD. Dante lived during a
time of constant quarrel between the factions supporting the
Emperor and the Pope. He was the most vocal anti-Papal. He
vehemently criticized the authority of the Church. He believed
that the human kind could achieve the purpose of life only
through a peaceful state. He was very pained at the anarchic
conditions prevailing in Italy. He believed that only a powerful
king can put an end to all these problems. He also believed
that the meddling of the Church in the affairs of the State is
the reason for the chaos and confusion prevailing in Italy.

Dante on Universal Monarchy: In De Monarchia, Dante is concerned with
three problems. 1. Is there a need for a world government? 2. Is Monarchy the
best form of world government? 3. Whether the authority of Holy Roman
Emperor came directly from God or from Pope.
Dante considered Monarchy as the best form of government because
peace, a necessary condition to all other virtues93 could be maintained only by
a monarch. Like other medievalists, Dante advocated an unlimited monarchy.
He was not only for a monarchy, but for a Universal Monarchy. This was
necessary for the peace of all mankind and that the monarch will have no fear
and no ambition to have, would rule justly and wisely.
There were particular ends for smaller communities like the household,
village, city or kingdom. But there was only a general end for all mankind. World
Empire and World Emperor were necessary because smaller communities were
not self sufficient and could not generate peace, without which good life was
impossible. He was for a strong secular Universal Empire and for depriving the
Pope of all secular authority and power of interference in secular affairs. The
universal society should be governed by two divine authorities i.e. the Emperor
and the Pope. They should have their separate and well defined jurisdiction. They
must not interfere in the affairs of each other. The secular government was
independent of spiritual authority. The power of the emperor, just like the
pope, came from God directly.

The monarch shall rule according to justice and law. The state shall
perform both material and moral functions. The monarch is the representative
of God on earth. He must rule through the monarchs of other kingdoms. He is
not a despot94. But he prevents the monarchs from fighting. He must maintain peace. He is a guardian of peace and not an actual ruler. He must not destroy
national or individual independence. It must be permitted as far it is compatible
with world peace. For full individual self realisation, peace is necessary.
Therefore, the world emperor exists for the people. He is only a servant of the
servants. He is the law personified95, law throned and crowned and
invested96 with majesty and honour. Dante’s universal monarchy is not a
super state. But it is the regime of supreme law. The supreme law may be called
justice, which could be maintained by one man.Dante said that for the settlement of disputes, there is no need of a war. He
said that if there is an issue, there ought to be a solution. This judgment should
be given by the Monarch. If the whole world is under the single Monarch, there is
less scope for a dispute as the whole world is ruled by a single Monarch. This is
just like an individual who is the head of the family. if all the members of the
family are independent, that will lead to chaos and confusion. Therefore, the
members of the family should be subordinate to him.

Dante accepts the concept of diversity within the Universal Monarch. There
shall be only universal law and order. Ethnic, cultural and linguistic difference
will be taken into consideration. Local issues shall have local solutions. Common
issues and problems will come to the attention of the Monarch. By saying so,
Dante on State and the Church: According to Dante, man is basically secular in
nature. His religious faith is independent of his concern with the State. The state
is ruled by the Monarch. The spiritual aspects are looked after by the church.
Both cannot be mixed with each other. The authority of the Monarch to rule
comes directly from God. It is not through the Pope. Just like Pope had authority
from God, the Monarch also takes his authority from God. One is not under the
other. Pope cannot lead the coronation of the Emperor or bestow him some
powers.
According to Dante, man has two aims in life. One is spiritual and the
other is temporal therefore, he should have two masters also. This arrangement
is inevitable to lead a peaceful life. The Pope shall lead the spiritual life. The
Emperor shall lead the State.
Dante on Equality of men: Dante did not believe in the essential equality of
men. For him all people are not capable of ruling themselves. He borrows the
Aristotelian idea of inequality of men. He says that Romans are superior in
nature. They are destined to rule the world. The world Monarchy should belong to Romans. It is the duty ordained by nature upon Rome. It is not based on the
greed of Romans to rule the world. But it is for the purpose of common good that
the Romans should rule the world. However, there is an ambiguity in this
principle by Dante. During his period varied kinds of people lived in the Roman
Empire. Therefore it is not clear whether he meant people living within the
Roman Empire or the race of people born in Rome. In any case, he tried to
advance the supremacy of Romans.

Estimate of Dante: Dante expressed great concern over the abysmal low and
order situation prevailing in Rome during his time. He readily came out with the
ready-made solution of a universal monarchy. He wanted to enhance the position
and power of the Monarchy. He tried to break open the doors of secularism to the
medieval people of Europe. He also tried to separate temporal authority from the
influence of Papal authority. He based his theory of Monarchy on an
international platform while accepting the diversity of people.
So friend this is all about the theory of universal monarchy that is written by the dante alighieri and thanks for reading.