![]() The British government generally ignored the Enlightenment's leaders.įrederick the Great, who ruled Prussia 1740–1786, was an enthusiast for French ideas (he ridiculed German culture and was unaware of the remarkable advances it was undergoing ). In France the government was hostile, and the philosophers fought against its censorship. In several nations with powerful rulers, called "enlightened despots" by historians, leaders of the Enlightenment were welcomed at Court and helped design laws and programs to reform the system, typically to build stronger national states. Government responses to the Age of Enlightenment varied widely. In Germany and France, the trend was especially strong in Cameralism and Physiocracy. It combined the utilitarian agenda of "enlightened absolutism" with the new ideas being developed in economics. Starting in the 1760s, officials in France and Germany began increasingly to rely on quantitative data for systematic planning, especially regarding long-term economic growth. A major renovation was the collection, use and interpretation of numerical and statistical data, ranging from trade statistics, harvest reports, death notices to population censuses. Ĭentralized control necessitated centralized systematic information on the nation. The concept of enlightened absolutism was formally described by the German historian Wilhelm Roscher in 1847 and remains controversial among scholars. Other rulers such as the Marquis of Pombal, prime minister of Portugal, used the ideas and practices of the Enlightenment not only to achieve reforms but also to enhance autocracy, crush opposition, suppress criticism, advance colonial economic exploitation, and consolidate personal control and profit. For example, Frederick the Great was tutored in the ideas of the French Enlightenment in his youth, and maintained those ideas in his private life as an adult, but in many ways was unable or unwilling to effect enlightened reforms in practice. They distinguish between the "enlightenment" of the ruler personally, versus that of his regime. Historians debate the actual implementation of enlightened absolutism. The difference between an absolutist and an enlightened absolutist is based on a broad analysis of the degree to which they embraced the Age of Enlightenment. The monarch’s taking responsibility for his subjects precluded their political participation. The monarchs of enlightened absolutism strengthened their authority by improving the lives of their subjects. ![]() to enlighten minds, cultivate morality, and to make people as happy as it suits human nature, and as the means at my disposal permit." Įnlightened 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. Frederick explained: "My principal occupation is to combat ignorance and prejudice. ![]() ![]() Frederick was an enthusiast of French ideas. He believed that an enlightened monarchy was the only real way for society to advance. When the prominent French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire fell out of favor in France, he eagerly accepted Frederick's invitation to live at his palace. Įnlightened absolutism is the theme of an essay by Frederick the Great, who ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786, defending this system of government. The enlightened despotism of Emperor Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire is summarized as, "Everything for the people, nothing by the people". Enlightened rulers may have played a part in the abolition of serfdom in Europe. Įnlightened absolutists' beliefs about royal power were typically similar to those of regular despots, both believing that they were destined to rule. John Stuart Mill stated that despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement. The concept originated during the Enlightenment period in the 18th and into the early 19th centuries.Īn enlightened absolutist is a non- democratic or authoritarian leader who exercises their political power based upon the principles of the Enlightenment.Įnlightened monarchs distinguished themselves from ordinary rulers by claiming to rule for their subjects' well-being. Enlightened absolutism (also called enlightened despotism) 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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