Power and Law in Enlightened Absolutism - Carl Gottlieb Svarez' Theoretical and Practical Approach

The term Enlightened Absolutism reflects a certain tension between ist two components. This tension is in a way a continuation of the dichotomy between power on one hand and law on the other. The present paper shall provide an analysis of these two concepts from the perspective of Carl Gottlieb Svar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rechtsgeschichte
Main Author: Kuhli, Milan (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:Undetermined language
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Published: Klostermann 2013
In: Rechtsgeschichte
IxTheo Classification:SB Catholic Church law
Further subjects:B Law
B Politics
B History
B Power
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Summary:The term Enlightened Absolutism reflects a certain tension between ist two components. This tension is in a way a continuation of the dichotomy between power on one hand and law on the other. The present paper shall provide an analysis of these two concepts from the perspective of Carl Gottlieb Svarez, who, in his position as a high-ranking Prussian civil servant and legal reformist, had unparalleled influence on the legislative history of the Prussian states towards the end of the 18th century. Working side-by-side with Johann Heinrich Casimir von Carmer, who held the post of Prussian minister of justice from 1779 to 1798, Svarez was able to make use of his talent for reforming and legislating. From 1780 to 1794 he was primarily responsible for the elaboration of the codification of the Prussian private law - the »Allgemeines Landrecht für die Preußischen Staaten« in 1794. In the present paper, Svarez' approach to the relation between law and power shall be analysed on two different levels. Firstly, on a theoretical level, the reformist's thoughts and reflections as laid down in his numerous works, papers and memorandums, shall be discussed. Secondly, on a practical level, the question of the extent to which he implemented his ideas in Prussian legal reality shall be explored.
ISSN:1619-4993
Contains:Enthalten in: Rechtsgeschichte