Absolute rule in France meant that the power of the monarch was, in theory, unlimited except by divine law or by what was called ‘natural law’. In an absolute society, the only person who could change the powers of the monarch was the monarch him/herself. As such, it is difficult to think in terms of an absolute monarch diluting his/her own authority and power.
For those on the receiving end of absolutism, the army played a key role. In absolutist states, the army invariably collected taxes; a large part of this revenue was invested in the army which got larger and more powerful; a larger army was capable of becoming even more effective at collecting taxes which were then further invested in the army. In this way, the people were trapped: they paid their taxes to a body that expanded as a result and that made it an even better collector of revenue.
Prussia was a conglomeration. Its unity wholly depended on the ruling princes and whatever institutions they could create and maintain.Like many other German states of the late 17th and 18th centuries, Prussia had been damaged by domestic and foreign armies. Depopulation was the major problem. The total wealth of society and its productive capacity had dropped drastically. Every prince had to be very concerned with creating wealth, and needed an up-to-date, well-disciplined, well-supplied army.One of best sources for goals and attitudes of German governments are the police ordinance recently investigated by Marc Raeff. Pioneered by Charles V in the 16th c. Ordinances attempted to ensure that princely domains would enjoy good order in the broadest sense.
