Enlightened absolutism refers to the conduct and policies of European absolute monarchs during the 18th and early 19th centuries who were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, espousing them to enhance their power.
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10 Facts About Enlightened absolutism
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Enlightened absolutism monarchs distinguished themselves from ordinary rulers by claiming to rule for their subjects' well-being.
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Enlightened absolutism is the theme of an essay by Frederick the Great, who ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786, defending this system of government.
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Enlightened absolutism believed that an enlightened monarchy was the only real way for society to advance.
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Enlightened absolutism absolutists held that royal power emanated not from divine right but from a social contract whereby a despot was entrusted with the power to govern through a social contract in lieu of any other governments.
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The monarchs of enlightened absolutism strengthened their authority by improving the lives of their subjects.
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Concept of enlightened absolutism was formally described by the German historian Wilhelm Roscher in 1847 and remains controversial among scholars.
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Enlightened absolutism wrote an essay on "Benevolent Despotism" defending this system of government.
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Enlightened absolutism incorporated many ideas of Enlightenment philosophers, especially Montesquieu, in her Nakaz, which was intended to revise Russian law.
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Enlightened absolutism must be anything but an arbitrary despot if one means by a despot a tyrant who follows all his impulses, whims and passions.
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