Francisco Suárez: entre el absolutismo y la democracia

Resumen:
Suarez has been considered both a "champion of democracy" (for his defense of popular sovereignty) and a strong supporter of monarchical absolutism (for total obedience due to the sovereing once the powers have been transferred). How are such opposing interpretations possible? This article aims to contextualize Suarez ' s political doctrine on international arbitration, just war, tyrannicide, etc. In this context we will analyze the case of Portugal (annexation and independence) that seems paradigmatic of the ambivalence of his thought. The apparent contradictions of his doctrine seem to reach our day.