Defects of the Senate of the Republic in the Interpretation of Antoni Popławski

Abstract

The paper analyzes the deficiencies, mentioned in the title, of the Senate of the Commonwealth (Republic) of Poland, presented in the works of Antoni Popławski. In addition, the study seeks to answer the question about the originality of his interpretations in his works selected for analysis. The resultant conclusion is that in his works presenting moral reflection Popławski was profoundly influenced by physiocratic ideas, when imitating the works of François Quesnay. However, with regard to political-system issues, Popławski elected not to directly copy the political ideas of physiocrats. Despite this, his Zbiór niektórych materii politycznych [Collection of Some Political Matters] clearly shows the physiocratic fear for the efficiency of collegial power and confidence in the monarchical system. The consequence of the adoption of this attitude was criticism of the power of the senate as being at risk of failure to abide by justice and of violating the political freedom of nobles. Unlike his moral writings, Popławski’s political arguments were not merely a simple compilation.