The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications

Pál Szentpáli-Gavallér

doi:doi:10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13

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The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications

Pál Szentpáli-Gavallér^*

Published in Science, Technology & Public Policy (Volume 8, Issue 1)

Received: 21 March 2024 Accepted: 9 April 2024 Published: 28 April 2024

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Abstract

The background for this research and the writing of this article is that the 400^th anniversary of the death of Gábor Bethlen is approaching, and the Corpus Juris Hungarici and some representatives of the Hungarian scholarly elite (see e.g. Trócsányi) play a significant role in the literature researched. The role of Gábor Bethlen Hungarian and Transylvanian history can be, and probably should not be, disputed, because his domestic, foreign and economic policies served to maintain the "Hungarian" state of the Principality of Transylvania. Its practical implementation can always be subject to so-called "criticism". In this respect, it is worth examining both the theoretical and the practical aspects, as well as the legal and economic-historical aspects, as far as possible, including tax and economic policy and, where appropriate, the various (even sociological) aspects of these, since their outline may be of assistance to the legislators of today. As a result of the research, it can be concluded that the Transylvanian state tax system is particularly striking in this respect; the levying of taxes without regard to the mate-rial strength of the subjects is in stark contrast to the idea that Transylvania in this period can be equated with absolu-tism in the Western sense, nor does it elevate the Principality of Transylvania to the rank of Western absolutism, although it was an indication of the prince's unlimited power that he could "abolish" the Diet. The reason for this was that he did not change the structure of the estates and central govern-ment that had existed since 1541.

Published in	Science, Technology & Public Policy (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13
Page(s)	15-21
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

István and Gábor Báthory, Gábor Bethlen, Principality of Transylvania, Thirty Years' War, Economy, Public Law and Public Policy, Taxes, Legislation

References

[1]	Arcanum. Erdély törtenete három kötetben. Második kötet. [Transylvanian history in three volumes. Volume Two.] [Internet]. Available from: https://tinyurl.com/53mw4x97 [Accessed 17 August 2023].
[2]	Magyar történelmi emlékek. [Hungarian historical monuments] Magyar Tudományos Akadémia, Budapest, 1880. 111–112.
[3]	Japanese Parliament. No title. Available from: https://www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_english.nsf/html/statics/guide/dietfun.htm [Accessed 13 March 2024].
[4]	Imreh, István (Ed.): A rendtartó székely falu [A regular Szekler Village] Kriterion Könyvkiadó, Bukarest, 1973. 205. (Bethlen is also said to have employed "responsible" shepherds, the so called: Hajdus.)
[5]	Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Transylvanian-Saxons [Accessed 2 April 2024].
[6]	Bethlen Gábor és kora. [Gábor Bethlen and his era.] Franklin-Társulat Magyar Irod. Intézet És Könyvnyomda. [Internet]. Available from: https://mek.oszk.hu/11600/11683/11683.htm [Accessed 21 September 2023].
[7]	Országos Széchényi Könyvtár. Partium. Available from: https://epa.oszk.hu/03100/03122/00025/pdf/EPA03122_rubicon_2018_03-04_072-079.pdf [Accessed 12 October 2023.] 78.
[8]	Corpus Juris Hungarici Magyar Törvénytár: 1526–1608. évi törvényczikkek. [Corpus Juris Hungarici Hungarian Law Gazette: the Law of 1526-1608.] (Ed.: Márkus, Dezső), Franklin-Társulat Magyar Irodalmi Intézet és Könyvnyomda, Budapest, 1899.) 837.
[9]	Geréb, László (Ed.): A magyar parasztháborúk irodalma 1437-1514. [The Literature of the Hungarian Peasant Wars 1437-1514] Budapest, Hungária Könyvkiadó, 1950. 17.
[10]	Szekfű, Gyula: Bethlen Gábor: Történelmi tanulmány. [Bethlen Gábor: Historical study. 2nd edition.] 2. kiadás. Helikon Kiadó, Budapest, 1983.) 162.
[11]	Visegrad Four. Available from: https://www.visegradgroup.eu/hu [Accessed 16. October 2023]. [A striking example of this is the meeting of the Visegrád kings in 1335, whose renewed "legal successor", as the author welcomes it, is the cooperation of the Visegrad Group (V4)]
[12]	Cf.: Januszek-Sieradzka, Agnieszka. The Crown Sejm in the Jagiellonian Era (1386–1572). The Birth, Development, ‘Golden Age’. Available from: https://doi.org/10.31268/PS.2021.73 [Accessed 5 April 2024].
[13]	Corpus Juris Hungarici Magyar Törvénytár: 1000–1526. évi törvényczikkek [Corpus Juris Hungarici Hungarian Law Gazette: the Law of 1000-1526.] (Ed.: Márkus, Dezső) (Ed.: Márkus, Dezső), Franklin-Társulat Magyar Irodalmi Intézet és Könyvnyomda, Budapest, 1899, p. 225.
[14]	Trócsányi, Zsolt: Erdély központi kormányzata 1540–1690. [The central government of Transylvania 1540-1690.] Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 1980. 239-240.
[15]	Kosáry, Domokos: Magyarország története. [History of Hungary]. Országos Közoktatási Tanács, Budapest, 1943. 121.
[16]	Oborni, Teréz: State and governance in the Principality of Transylvania. [Internet]. Available from: https://real.mtak.hu/38986/1/hstud.27.2013.2.8.pdf [Accessed 3 April 2024].
[17]	Cf.: Lázár, István: Transylvania. A Short History. [Internet]. Available from: https://mek.oszk.hu/02000/02083/02083.htm#12 [Accessed 17 April 2024].

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Szentpáli-Gavallér, P. (2024). The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications. Science, Technology & Public Policy, 8(1), 15-21. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13

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ACS Style

Szentpáli-Gavallér, P. The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications. Sci. Technol. Public Policy 2024, 8(1), 15-21. doi: 10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13

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AMA Style

Szentpáli-Gavallér P. The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications. Sci Technol Public Policy. 2024;8(1):15-21. doi: 10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13

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@article{10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13,
  author = {Pál Szentpáli-Gavallér},
  title = {The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications
},
  journal = {Science, Technology & Public Policy},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {15-21},
  doi = {10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.stpp.20240801.13},
  abstract = {The background for this research and the writing of this article is that the 400th anniversary of the death of Gábor Bethlen is approaching, and the Corpus Juris Hungarici and some representatives of the Hungarian scholarly elite (see e.g. Trócsányi) play a significant role in the literature researched. The role of Gábor Bethlen Hungarian and Transylvanian history can be, and probably should not be, disputed, because his domestic, foreign and economic policies served to maintain the "Hungarian" state of the Principality of Transylvania. Its practical implementation can always be subject to so-called "criticism". In this respect, it is worth examining both the theoretical and the practical aspects, as well as the legal and economic-historical aspects, as far as possible, including tax and economic policy and, where appropriate, the various (even sociological) aspects of these, since their outline may be of assistance to the legislators of today. As a result of the research, it can be concluded that the Transylvanian state tax system is particularly striking in this respect; the levying of taxes without regard to the mate-rial strength of the subjects is in stark contrast to the idea that Transylvania in this period can be equated with absolu-tism in the Western sense, nor does it elevate the Principality of Transylvania to the rank of Western absolutism, although it was an indication of the prince's unlimited power that he could "abolish" the Diet. The reason for this was that he did not change the structure of the estates and central govern-ment that had existed since 1541.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications

AU  - Pál Szentpáli-Gavallér
Y1  - 2024/04/28
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13
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JO  - Science, Technology & Public Policy
SP  - 15
EP  - 21
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-4621
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13
AB  - The background for this research and the writing of this article is that the 400th anniversary of the death of Gábor Bethlen is approaching, and the Corpus Juris Hungarici and some representatives of the Hungarian scholarly elite (see e.g. Trócsányi) play a significant role in the literature researched. The role of Gábor Bethlen Hungarian and Transylvanian history can be, and probably should not be, disputed, because his domestic, foreign and economic policies served to maintain the "Hungarian" state of the Principality of Transylvania. Its practical implementation can always be subject to so-called "criticism". In this respect, it is worth examining both the theoretical and the practical aspects, as well as the legal and economic-historical aspects, as far as possible, including tax and economic policy and, where appropriate, the various (even sociological) aspects of these, since their outline may be of assistance to the legislators of today. As a result of the research, it can be concluded that the Transylvanian state tax system is particularly striking in this respect; the levying of taxes without regard to the mate-rial strength of the subjects is in stark contrast to the idea that Transylvania in this period can be equated with absolu-tism in the Western sense, nor does it elevate the Principality of Transylvania to the rank of Western absolutism, although it was an indication of the prince's unlimited power that he could "abolish" the Diet. The reason for this was that he did not change the structure of the estates and central govern-ment that had existed since 1541.

VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Pál Szentpáli-Gavallér

Department of Public Law, Ferenc Mádl Institute of Comparative Law, Budapest, Hungary

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8376-262X

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APA Style

Szentpáli-Gavallér, P. (2024). The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications. Science, Technology & Public Policy, 8(1), 15-21. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13

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ACS Style

Szentpáli-Gavallér, P. The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications. Sci. Technol. Public Policy 2024, 8(1), 15-21. doi: 10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13

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AMA Style

Szentpáli-Gavallér P. The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications. Sci Technol Public Policy. 2024;8(1):15-21. doi: 10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13,
  author = {Pál Szentpáli-Gavallér},
  title = {The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications
},
  journal = {Science, Technology & Public Policy},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {15-21},
  doi = {10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.stpp.20240801.13},
  abstract = {The background for this research and the writing of this article is that the 400th anniversary of the death of Gábor Bethlen is approaching, and the Corpus Juris Hungarici and some representatives of the Hungarian scholarly elite (see e.g. Trócsányi) play a significant role in the literature researched. The role of Gábor Bethlen Hungarian and Transylvanian history can be, and probably should not be, disputed, because his domestic, foreign and economic policies served to maintain the "Hungarian" state of the Principality of Transylvania. Its practical implementation can always be subject to so-called "criticism". In this respect, it is worth examining both the theoretical and the practical aspects, as well as the legal and economic-historical aspects, as far as possible, including tax and economic policy and, where appropriate, the various (even sociological) aspects of these, since their outline may be of assistance to the legislators of today. As a result of the research, it can be concluded that the Transylvanian state tax system is particularly striking in this respect; the levying of taxes without regard to the mate-rial strength of the subjects is in stark contrast to the idea that Transylvania in this period can be equated with absolu-tism in the Western sense, nor does it elevate the Principality of Transylvania to the rank of Western absolutism, although it was an indication of the prince's unlimited power that he could "abolish" the Diet. The reason for this was that he did not change the structure of the estates and central govern-ment that had existed since 1541.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Economic Policy of Gábor Bethlen and Its Legal Implications

AU  - Pál Szentpáli-Gavallér
Y1  - 2024/04/28
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13
T2  - Science, Technology & Public Policy
JF  - Science, Technology & Public Policy
JO  - Science, Technology & Public Policy
SP  - 15
EP  - 21
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-4621
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.stpp.20240801.13
AB  - The background for this research and the writing of this article is that the 400th anniversary of the death of Gábor Bethlen is approaching, and the Corpus Juris Hungarici and some representatives of the Hungarian scholarly elite (see e.g. Trócsányi) play a significant role in the literature researched. The role of Gábor Bethlen Hungarian and Transylvanian history can be, and probably should not be, disputed, because his domestic, foreign and economic policies served to maintain the "Hungarian" state of the Principality of Transylvania. Its practical implementation can always be subject to so-called "criticism". In this respect, it is worth examining both the theoretical and the practical aspects, as well as the legal and economic-historical aspects, as far as possible, including tax and economic policy and, where appropriate, the various (even sociological) aspects of these, since their outline may be of assistance to the legislators of today. As a result of the research, it can be concluded that the Transylvanian state tax system is particularly striking in this respect; the levying of taxes without regard to the mate-rial strength of the subjects is in stark contrast to the idea that Transylvania in this period can be equated with absolu-tism in the Western sense, nor does it elevate the Principality of Transylvania to the rank of Western absolutism, although it was an indication of the prince's unlimited power that he could "abolish" the Diet. The reason for this was that he did not change the structure of the estates and central govern-ment that had existed since 1541.

VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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