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Cardinal Richelieu
"Secrecy is the first essential in state affairs."
Key Insights
During the 30 Years War, Catholic France pursued alliances with the Protestant Dutch Republic and Sweden. Richelieu, himself a Catholic cardinal, arranged these alliances to balance against the Habsburg Empire. In doing so, Richelieu championed "raison d'etat", detaching the state from religious ideologies and providing it with its own interests. In strengthening the "raison d'etat", Richelieu increased the power and freedom of the ruler, facilitating absolutism.
Written by Pablo Mathis
27 February 2023 · 00:00 CETUpdated 21 June 2026 · 18:23 CET
Cite this brief
Mathis, P. (2023). Cardinal Richelieu. EPIS Insight · Peacekeeping & Conflict Prevention.
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