Abstract
In these extracts, Knox argues that in time of war there emerges a form of despotism which consists of a “ministerial oligarchy” and powerful “grandees.” The “ministerial oligarchy” is able to control the state by offering favors to the rich and powerful and preventing criticism of their actions by influencing juries to convict opponents of the war in treason trials. Powerful “grandees” seize the chance to command large armies and hence increase their own power and prestige at the expense of “the people” who die on the battlefield and are bled dry by onerous taxes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Hart, D.M., Chartier, G., Kenyon, R.M., Long, R.T. (2018). Vicesimus Knox, The Spirit of Despotism (1795). In: Hart, D., Chartier, G., Kenyon, R., Long, R. (eds) Social Class and State Power. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64894-1_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64894-1_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-64893-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-64894-1
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)