Enlightened Despotism & Its Enlightenment Critics

Political Transformations: Enlightened Despotism

In the second half of the eighteenth century, some monarchs attempted to reconcile absolutism with the progressive ideas of the Enlightenment. Consequently, Enlightened Despotism emerged, a form of government characterized by the principle "Everything for the people, nothing by the people." In this system, the monarch continued to concentrate all powers but considered themselves the primary servant of the state, undertaking reforms aimed at achieving progress and the happiness of their subjects.

Enlightened Despotism was implemented in many European states, including:

• France under Louis XV
• Spain under Charles III
• Portugal under Joseph I
• Russia under Catherine II
• Austria under Joseph II
• Prussia under Frederick II

These enlightened monarchs carried out various reforms in their countries:

• Centralized administration, unifying laws and institutions nationwide.
• Modernized the economy by encouraging agriculture, industry, and commerce.
• Improved the living conditions of the third estate.
• Intervened in Church affairs, permitting the sale of Church property or expelling religious orders (like the Jesuits) opposed to their principles.
• Promoted public education, the sciences, and the arts.

Critics of Absolutism: Enlightenment Thinkers

While some Enlightenment figures accepted Enlightened Despotism, others criticized it and admired the British parliamentary system. In the British model, the king's power was limited by Parliament, there was a separation of powers, and certain individual rights were recognized for citizens (although suffrage was limited).

The most influential theorists opposing Absolutism were the French Enlightenment thinkers:

• François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)

  A great admirer of English institutions, Voltaire favored a limited monarchy to uphold citizens' freedom.

• Charles-Louis de Secondat (Baron de Montesquieu)

  Montesquieu argued for the necessity of separating the three branches of government:

  • Legislative: To make laws.
  • Executive: To govern and enforce laws.
  • Judicial: To administer justice.

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

  Rousseau asserted that sovereignty (supreme power) resides in the nation or the collective body of citizens. Citizens delegate their power to rulers, whose actions must be guided by the general will and aim to establish good and equal laws for all.