5. Enlightened despotism
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Talking Book
Did you know?
Enlightened despots did not allow their subjects to participate in political life. For this reason they are identified with the phrase 'everything for the people, but without the people'.
Enlightened despotism was a new form of government that developed in some European countries in the 18th century. Its objective was to combine absolute monarchy (despotism) with Enlightenment ideas aimed at modernising the country and improving people's wellbeing.
Enlightened despots had the following characteristics:
- they maintained their absolute power through centralised governments that implemented their policies.
- they appointed Enlightenment thinkers to important positions, for example as royal ministers.
- they tried to make changes peacefully, through education and new laws.
Examples of enlightened despots include Catherine the Great of Russia, Joseph II of Austria, Frederick II of Prussia and Carlos III of Spain (1759–1788). These monarchs implemented a number of enlightened reforms, such as the unification of the legal system, the modernisation of the army, and the promotion of agriculture, industry and education.
Enlightened despotism ultimately failed as a form of government because it maintained the privileges of the estates system, and did not introduce reforms to make all people free and equal before the law.
Video 7. Enlightened despots
