All of Modern Political Thought (based on Modern Philosophy) has been neatly summarized in a diagram known as the Pournelle Axes:

Yet all this diagram presents is a choice of evils, absolute Statism on one hand and absolute Anarchism on the other; the State as the absolute good or the Individual’s Destructive Tendencies, neither of which is ordered toward the Common Good, which is and must be the true end of all governance.

While of course it is possible to find a via media or middle way between the two extremes, yet the tendency towards one of the extremes will remain, and the form of government easily corrupted. What is truly necessary for a Christian Country is a form of governance deriving its authority from the Source of All Authority, the Author of All Things, directed solely towards the Common Good, whether it be Kingdom or Free State. Ceremony and Tradition are of utmost importance in this governance, for without them the rulers given their authority will tend to appropriate to themselves authority which is not their own, having nothing to remind them of the strict duties of their office.

The Common Good that Patrial Government (as opposed for the moment to Local Government) is ordered towards can be summarized as three points:

1. External and Internal Defense of the Country
2. The Provision of Justice
3. The Regulation of Communication and Commerce

Now it is necessary to look beyond the Country to the World. Here it will be found that the Modern Political system again fails, for instead of being ordered towards the Good of all Nations, each nation is concerned with its own good, and with using the other Nations to its own advantage. Though political bodies such as the League of Nations and the United Nations have striven for a kind of International Order, yet they have proven ineffectual and have the dangerous potential towards a Cosmopolitan Statism.

The only Historical System ordered towards the International Good is the Holy Roman Empire. The Authority of the Emperor is derived directly from the Vicar of Christ and from His Church, and is safeguarded from abuse by the Pope’s ability to depose a corrupt Emperor. The Empire or Christendom is defended by the Emperor, who also settles disputes between the Nations of Christendom, maintaining international peace.

Because of the duties (which are primarily the same as those of National Government) and restrictions of the office of Emperor, it is an office not easily corrupted (though it can be, and thus the Pope has authority over it). The Hierarchy of Christendom (The Imperial System) can also be summarized in three points:

1. The Emperor and the Empire
2. The Nations (Kingdoms and Free States) independent under the Emperor’s Authority
3. The Freeholders (the Common families) independent under the laws of the Nation

In the system of Christendom the Freedom of Nations (and individuals) is maintained and even defended by Authority independent of the Nations originating in God’s Church and ordered towards the International Common Good. Those principles of Democracy which are good are upheld, yet also the principles of Common Good and Authority, without the dangerous tendencies to either Statism or Anarchism, both on a National and International level.

The Imperium of the Holy Roman Empire still exists, even though the external forms of the Empire have been destroyed. It exists because it does not derive its authority from this world, but from the Catholic Church, as does the claim of the Hapsburg family to that Imperium. God’s blessings and prophecy are not given flippantly nor should they be taken so, but with solemnity and joyfulness of heart. Solemnity and Joy are not contradictory, rather one cannot exist without the other. Much in the same way, Authority and Freedom are not contradictory, not even at an international level, and the Imperium must be made again the international safeguard of democracy*.

*(by democracy here I mean the freedom of the Common Man)

Please feel free to agree, disagree, or criticize (civilly) in the comments section below.