Enlightened absolutism

Enlightened absolutism (also known as benevolent despotism or enlightened despotism) is a term used to describe the actions of absolute rulers who were influenced by the Enlightenment, a historical period of the 18th and early 19th centuries. The main Enlightenment-era proponent of this system was Voltaire, who regularly corresponded with several of the rulers of this time.

The philosopher Voltaire was invited to courts throughout Europe to deliver what is now considered the message of Enlightenment to the aristocratic rulers of the continent. On the left on this painting by Adolph von Menzel, Voltaire is shown in the palace of Sanssouci with Frederick the Great.

Enlightened monarchs were rulers who distinguished themselves from traditional monarchs in the way they governed. Specifically, 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.

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 constitutions, 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 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 taking up many ideas of the Enlightenment, for example by being a great patron of the arts in Imperial Russia and incorporating many ideas of enlightened philosophers, especially Montesquieu, in her Nakaz, to a committee meant to revise Russian law.

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 Europe was achieved by enlightened rulers. In the spirit of enlightened absolutism, Emperor Joseph II said, "Everything for the people, nothing by the people."

Other enlightened absolutists, such as King Frederick the Great (Frederick II of Prussia) maintained the ideals of the Enlightenment while also permitting the practice of serfdom. The governing political philosophy of 'rationalism' under the enlighted 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 sovereign of the State", rather than the state itself.

References

* Spielvogel Volume II: Since 1500]] (2003) p.493, 517.
* Scott, H. M, -- Enlightened Absolutism: Reform and Reformers in Late Eighteenth Century Europe'' (1990), ISBN 0472101730.