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British History and Civilization: Political Ideas, the State and Society

Publié le 19/05/2013

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British History and Civilization: Political Ideas, the State and Society Read carefully the text of the 1689 English Bill of Rights; then read carefully Lois G. Schwoerer's article « The bill of Rights: Epitome of the Revolution of 1688-89 «. Then develop the following questions: 1) Why Lois G. Schwoerer disagrees with the traditional conservative reading of the Bill of Rights? She advances two points or arguments for her own interpretation, summarize them and explain. The English Bill of Rights was created by the English Parliament and signed into law by King William III in 1689. The reason of creation was repeated abuses of power by King James II during his reign from 1685 to 1689. According to people, the Bill of Rights contained ancient rights and restored the monarchy with limitations which looked like traditional ones. Lois G.Schwoerver disagrees with the traditional conservative reading of the Bill of Right and she advances two main arguments. The first one is that according to Lois Schoerver the "Bill of right" was a radical document. She stands against the tradi...

« Crown and set out the rights of Parliament.

That is the main reasons why she said the Bill of Rights enabled to establish a new type of monarchy.

The second argument can be seen through the battle that happened from 1688 to 1689 because during that time the king was very criticized which result to a less powerful king in the Bill of Right.

For example we can see in the article the King “was denied the power to suspend laws or their execution without the consent of Parliament” that proves the contentment of the parliament is important.

Many times in the article it is mentions that the king needs the consent of the parliament which proved that the parliament shaped the royal prerogatives and the king is influenced by it.

Moreover it was only in 1688-1689 that reforming the monarchy began. This new monarchy in favor of Parliament is seen as the main reason why the Bill of rights has to be seen as a document which changed the British monarchy. 2) Even though she does not mention John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government (published anonymously in December 1689, after the Declaration of Rights) she also (from p 229 onward) points at the ongoing debate through the XVIIth century on the need to reform kingship.

How was it reformed ? The need to reform Kingship was important as people felt that the King was too powerful and that the parliament should prevail on the King.

There was a debate concerning the need to reform kingship.

There was a will to reform the government by placing conditions on the monarchy.

It proved a will to change the kingship.

Indeed, kingship was reformed: T he reform of kingship was a long process as it did not happen all of a sudden.

On the contrary it was inspired by the will to change things for the better but it was also inspired by what had happened in the United States. People were tired of unfair situation.

The system was not good and the power to change things was in the people’s hands. The reform was addressing the question of the “King’s law-making power and his military authority”.

We can quote: "The people entered into two contracts".

The people set up a government with the king power.

The Kingship was decided by the people.

Indeed if the King Sonia RIASAT L3 LLCE ANGLAIS. »

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