The Development Of Resistence Theory In Sixteenth-Century

This dissertation takes the Sixteenth-Century Resistance theory as the principle line,and the analysis of the political,social and religious background as well as that of the related political theorists’ texts as the major research methods.It’s going to represent the development of the Resistance theory and its far-reaching impact on Europe in Sixteenth-Century and later epoch.The Resistance theory of this era had made great transformation on three levels:firstly,it had been transformed from the ideas predominated by a small group to the ideology system received by social masses,and as a result it burst out an inconceivable energy to make social revolution;secondly,it had been transformed from a conservative and prudent "Passive Resistance theory" to a radical "Positive Resistance theory";thirdly,it had been transformed from the religious category to the political category.The Resistance theory in Sixteenth-Century could be regarded as the root of Western political thoughts of later era,which initiated the revolutions in Seventeenth-Century and Eighteenth-Century.Even in today’s Western political institutions and traditions,we would find the trace of this idea.In Chapter one,by the Reformation thought of Martin Luther as starting point,the author tries to expound the emergence of the Resistance issue and Luther’s reflection.This chapter is in order to analyze his positions on this issue in different time,and to identify his latent conflict and unity,so as to make clear the most basic concern of Luther’s complicated ideology.As the ultimate aim of Luther,the idea of "the order of God" influenced his position changing on the resistance theory of constitutionalism and that of natural law,and reflected the radical alteration of this era.In Chapter two,on the basis of an analysis which focuses on the political,social and religious backgrounds of Sixteenth-Century France,the author tries to investigate the difference between two waves of the French Reformation,as well as the necessity of Resistance when religious oppression rising.This chapter especially focuses on the missionary work of Calvinism in France,the development of which not only led to the turmoil of French society in the later Sixteenth-Century,but also had a deep influence on the conflict between Absolutism and Resistance theory.In Chapter three,the author investigates the Resistance thought of Jean Calvin.As the founder and spiritual leader of Calvinism,Jean Calvin had an ambiguous position on this question in text.The way we understand the real position and the source of this position on the resistance against tyrants will have a profound influence on the research of Calvin’s other theories.This chapter focuses on three issues related with Resistance theory:the loyal oath and social contract,the separation of two kingdoms and the breakthrough from St.Paul’s words.His reflection on the three issues had a series of consequences and an important place in his reflection,and became the logical starting point of his concepts and positions.In Chapter four,the author transforms the focal point to the reflection and breakthrough of other important political theorists and groups in Calvinism.This chapter focuses on discussing the divergent views on Resistance issue in post Calvin era which present as the different theories proposed by Theodore de Beze,the successor of Calvin and "Marian exiles",the Protestants from British Isles.In spite of the divergence,the radicalization of Resistance theory had begun to fall into shape in this era.In Chapter five,the author focuses on St.Bartholomew’s Day massacre of 1572.The event completely interrupted the rapid development of Calvinism in France,and also started the process of radicalization the Resistance theory by Calvinism political theorists.In Chapter six and Chapter seven,through the method of text analysis,the author focuses on the radicalization process of Resistance theory by Calvinism and catholic League after St.Bartholomew’s Day massacre.At first,the Calvinism political theorists developed a Resistance theory far more radical than before through the method of collective creation.At the same time,the ideas predominated by a small group began to be received by social masses,and became the ideology system which was totally different to former.However,as an elitist religious organization,the cognition of Calvinism and Huguenot was still limited in the medieval war pattern which was familiar to feudal nobles,they had no ability to make use of the ideology weapon of Resistance theory well.Meanwhile,the catholic League gave full play to this weapon,and had almost vanquished French monarchy.However,the social conflicts and the masses’ desire for peace rendered its attempt vain.When Henri Ⅳ became the French king,French monarchy began to bottom out.Taking place of the Resistance theory,the Absolutism became the main tune of French political thoughts in the later era.