18th Century Political Systems and Enlightenment Thinkers

Government Practices and Royal Power

Government practices to govern all saw kings doing two things: they tried to extend control over territory and were cooperating with those who held power. They created new officials for the purpose of securing royal power at the local level. The kings had to look for an especially powerful alliance with the nobility; they had to ensure decisions were taken that aligned with the interests of the monarch.

Kings were forced to maintain the power and autonomy of the nobility and feudal lords. The clergy continued without paying taxes, so all royal finances fell on the village plan, which severely restricted the state's income. Even justice was administered only by the king.

Enlightened Despotism and State Reform

Enlightened Despotism illustrates a reform policy based on the philosophical ideas of a new Enlightenment (Illustration). This policy was attacked on several fronts. It attempted to strengthen the centralized state administration, professionalize the army, and reduce the power of parliaments and other institutions. It was intended to improve the economy through the development of industry.

However, none of these reforms altered the base of the Old Regime. Despotism tried to reform state power without changing the fundamentals, which proved impossible.

The Rise of Parliamentary Regimes

Parliamentary regimes were imposed in the 18th century. In England, they tried to establish absolutism, but Parliament promoted two revolutions in defense of their rights. In the United Provinces, they established a republic. Although the country was ruled by a king, it was divided into seven provinces; each had a parliament and States-General.

Principles of the Enlightenment

The bases of the Enlightenment (Illustration) included:

• Predominant reason
• Autonomy
• Civil power
• Religious tolerance
• Experimental interest in science
• Education and economy
• Interest in material progress

Immanuel Kant believed in the Enlightenment as a means of human emancipation. Most thinkers were believers, but they criticized religion because they considered it a denial of rights and an instrument of fanaticism. In these current movements, women participated as a minority.

Key Thinkers of the French Enlightenment

France staged an ideological shift and created the Enlightenment. There were four key illustrated thinkers: Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Rousseau.