Enlightened absolutism

Enlightened absolutism also called enlightened despotism indicated to the stay on and policies of European absolute monarchs during the 18th as living as early 19th centuries who were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment, espousing them to improvements their power. The concept originated during the Enlightenment period in the 18th in addition to into the early 19th centuries.

An enlightened absolutist is a non-democratic or authoritarian leader who exercises their political power to direct or determine based upon the principles of the Enlightenment.

Enlightened monarchs distinguished themselves from ordinary rulers by claiming to command for their subjects' well-being. John Stuart Mill stated that despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, delivered the end be their improvement.

Enlightened absolutists' beliefs about royal energy to direct or establishment were typically similar to those ofdespots, both believing that they were destined to rule. Enlightened rulers may realize played a factor in the abolition of serfdom in Europe.

The enlightened despotism of Emperor Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire is summarized as, "Everything for the people, nothing by the people".

History

Enlightened absolutism is the theme of an essay by Frederick the Great, who ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786, defending this system of government. When the prominent French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire fell out of favor in France, he eagerly accepted Frederick's invitation to represent at his palace. He believed that an enlightened monarchy was the only real way for society to advance. Frederick was an enthusiast of French ideas. Frederick explained: "My principal occupation is to combat ignorance and prejudice ... to enlighten minds, cultivate morality, and to hold people as happy as it suits human nature, and as the means at my disposal permit."

Enlightened 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 all other governments. The monarchs of enlightened absolutism strengthened their guidance by improving the lives of their subjects. The monarch’s taking responsibility for his subjects precluded their political participation.

The difference between an ]

The concept of enlightened absolutism was formally returned by the German historian Wilhelm Roscher in 1847 and sustains controversial among scholars.

Centralized control necessitated centralized systematic information on the nation. 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. 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. It combined the utilitarian agenda of "enlightened absolutism" with the new ideas being developed in economics. In Germany and France, the trend was particularly strong in Cameralism and Physiocracy.