Enlightened absolutism
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| - | {{Template}}'''Enlightened absolutism''' (also known as benevolent or enlightened [[despotism]]) is a form of despotism in which rulers were influenced by the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]], a [[history|historical]] period. Enlightened monarchs embraced the principles of the Enlightenment, especially its emphasis upon [[rationality]], and applied them to their territories. They tended to allow religious toleration, freedom of speech and the press, and the right to hold private property. Most fostered the arts, sciences, and education. | + | {{Template}} |
| - | Enlightened absolutists' beliefs about royal power were often similar to those of absolute monarchs, in that many believed that they had the right to govern by birth and generally refused to grant [[constitution]]s, seeing even the most pro-monarchy ones as being an inherent check on their power. The difference between an [[absolutist]] and an enlightened absolutist is based on a broad analysis of how far they embraced Enlightenment. In particular, the Holy Roman Emperor [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph II]] can be said to have fully embraced the enlightened concept of the [[social contract]]. In contrast, Empress [[Catherine II of Russia]] entirely rejected the concept of the social contract while [[Russian Enlightenment|taking up many ideas of the Enlightenment]], for example by being a great patron of the arts in [[Russian Empire|Imperial Russia]] and incorporating many ideas of enlightened philosophers, especially [[Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu|Montesquieu]], in her [[Nakaz]], to a committee meant to revise Russian law. | + | '''Enlightened absolutism''', also known as '''enlightened despotism''' and '''benevolent absolutism''', is a form of [[absolute monarchy]] or [[despotism]] inspired by the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]. Enlightened monarchs embrace [[rationality]]. Most enlightened monarchs fostered education and allowed religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and the right to hold private property. |
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| - | In effect, the monarchs ruled with the intent of improving the lives of their subjects in order to strengthen or reinforce their authority. For example, the abolition of [[serfdom]] in some regions of Europe was achieved by enlightened rulers. In the spirit of enlightened absolutism, Emperor Joseph II said, "Everything for the people, nothing by the people." | + | |
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| - | Other enlightened absolutists, such as King [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick the Great]] maintained the ideals of the Enlightenment while also permitting the practice of serfdom. The governing political philosophy of 'rationalism' under the enlightened ancient regime, permitted these hereditary monarchs to commit hypocritical, yet rationally justifiable actions. Unlike the absolutist King [[Louis XIV of France]], Frederick viewed himself as the "First servant of the State," rather than the state itself. | + | |
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| - | In modern times, [[Sultan of Oman|Sultan]] [[Qaboos bin Said Al Said]] of [[Oman]] has been characterized as an enlightened absolutist, as while he maintains an absolute monarchy he also seeks to improve his country and rule with a light hand. | + | |
| ==Enlightened Absolutists== | ==Enlightened Absolutists== | ||
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| *[[Joseph I of Portugal]] | *[[Joseph I of Portugal]] | ||
| *[[Napoleon I of France]] | *[[Napoleon I of France]] | ||
| - | ==Modern Day Enlightened Absolutists== | + | == See also == |
| - | * [[Lee Kuan Yew]] | + | * [[Benevolent dictatorship]] |
| + | * [[Philosopher king]] | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
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Enlightened absolutism, also known as enlightened despotism and benevolent absolutism, is a form of absolute monarchy or despotism inspired by the Enlightenment. Enlightened monarchs embrace rationality. Most enlightened monarchs fostered education and allowed religious tolerance, freedom of speech, and the right to hold private property.
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Enlightened Absolutists
- Catherine II of Russia
- Frederick II of Prussia
- Gustav III of Sweden
- Maria Theresa of Austria
- Charles III of Spain
- Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
- Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor
- Joseph I of Portugal
- Napoleon I of France
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See also
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Enlightened absolutism" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
