On the Education of Christ the King

Author: Erasmus
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-11-01
Features: In On the Education of a Christian Prince, Erasmus presented opposing viewpoints. Machiavelli sought to teach rulers how to best maintain power, while Erasmus bluntly endorsed Europe's hereditary monarchies, explicitly stating that disrupting the existing order would cause division, hinder social cohesion, and carry too high a cost, making it impractical to consider. Only when subjects are subjected to naked tyranny would there be a justifiable reason to challenge political authority. Based on this acceptance and support of the status quo, Erasmus posed the question for himself in On the Education of a Christian Prince: How could hereditary rulers be properly educated to govern justly and compassionately, ensuring that the rule of the prince never degenerates into oppression?