We explain what illustrated despotism was and what were its general characteristics. In addition, its consequences and the main enlightened monarchs.
What was enlightened despotism?
Illustrated despotism (also called benevolent despotism either Illustrated absolutism) was A government model that emerged in Europe in the second half of the 18th century. His particularity was that It combined the absolutism of the old regime with the philosophical ideas of the Enlightenment, as faith in reason.
The political thought of enlightened despotism was summarized in the phrase “Everything for the people, but without the people”. This implied the application of reforms designed for the welfare of the population but conducted by the monarch and its ministers. Therefore, It was a paternalistic government model. Some of the main enlightened monarchs were Federico II of Prussia, Carlos III of Spain, Catalina II of Russia, Gustavo III of Sweden and María Teresa and José II of Austria.
The enlightened monarchs and their trusted ministers They promoted social and administrative reforms, promoted the modernization of cities, sponsored art and science and encouraged the education of their subjects and religious tolerance. However, this did not mean a resignation to aristocratic privileges or a decrease in social division. Nor did they contribute to the formation of a republican order, since the representatives of enlightened despotism opposed the idea that the people should govern themselves, as other enlightened philosophers proposed.
Key points
- The enlightened despotism was a model of government that combined monarchical absolutism with the philosophical ideas of the Enlightenment.
- The enlightened despotism predominated in several European monarchies during the second half of the 18th century.
- The enlightened monarchs promoted modernizing reforms for reason and promoted science, art and education without abandoning aristocratic privileges.
- The main enlightened monarchs were Federico II of Prussia, Carlos III of Spain, Catalina II of Russia, Gustavo III of Sweden and María Teresa and José II of Austria.
See also: Neoclassicism
Origin of enlightened despotism
The enlightened despotism had its beginning in Europe in the mid -18th century, as a consequence of the dissemination of the ideas of the Enlightenment. The illustrated ideas, emerged at the end of the 17th and consolidated in the 18th century, They were based on faith in human reason to achieve knowledge and progress as a way to overcome the difficulties of society.
One of the foundations of the Enlightenment was the criticism of absolutism, that is, the monarchical regime in force in several European countries (such as France) in which the king concentrated power and ruled “by divine right.” Many enlightened philosophers rejected aristocratic privileges, defended the existence of natural rights common to all human beings and affirmed the centrality of reason to make decisions that promoted the happiness of individuals.
However, these criticisms of the absolutist regime did not propose a violent and revolutionary change, but They pointed to a gradual change of social and administrative structures with the aim of building a more modern and rational society.
Some enlightened thinkers adopted constitutional or liberal positions, and illustrated ideas exerted influence on processes of political change such as the independence of the United States in 1776 and the French revolution in 1789. However, the idea of a gradual progress that influenced some monarchs and high European dignitaries, interested in promoting guided reforms for the use of reason.
Thus, a series of regimes that are considered representative of enlightened despotism arose during the second half of the 18th century. The combination between absolutism and the enlightened character of the monarchs or the ministers who advised them was what motivated German historians of the nineteenth century to coin the term “enlightened despotism.”
See also: Illustration
Characteristics of enlightened despotism
While the Enlightenment was especially influential in the bourgeoisie, illustrated despotism It was the result of the adoption of illustrated ideas by some aristocrats and monarchs. The principles of enlightened despotism were implemented from the mid -18th century in several European monarchies, such as Prussia, Russia, Spain, Portugal and Austria.
In France, where illustrated ideas were particularly strong, the weakness of the monarchs of the time prevented enlightened measures. The survival of the absolutism of the old regime led in 1789 to the outbreak of the French revolution, strongly influenced by enlightened thinking.
The enlightened despotism consisted of A policy of reforms and modernization aimed at guaranteeing the well -being of the peoplewhat was considered an obligation of the monarchs and aristocrats. It was a paternalistic vision of the political order, in which the king and his ministers had to make decisions to improve the conditions of existence of the subjects.
However, illustrated reforms They also aim to improve state administration To expand the availability of resources, enhance the State and turn it into great power. Nor were the privileges of the nobility and the clergy eliminated, even when sometimes limitations were imposed.
In general terms, the modernization implemented by illustrated despotism in the second half of the 18th century consisted of:
- Promotion of arts and sciences.
- Strengthening of the education of the subjects.
- Religious tolerance
- Greater respect for some civil liberties, such as press freedom.
- Creation of economic societies (to apply knowledge to economic development).
- Reforms in Public Administration.
- Limitation of privileges of the nobility and clergy (especially in terms of taxes).
- Creation of academies and scientific societies.
- Modernization of cities.
Consequences of enlightened despotism
Illustrated despotism helped modernize and consolidate the power of some monarchies and provided an important thrust to science and arts in Europe. Besides, contributed to spread the illustrated ideas that had begun to be stated at the end of the 17th century.
The illustrated ideas were disseminated by philosophers and representatives of enlightened despotism. This promoted the adhesion of aristocratic sectors and, above all, bourgeois to concepts derived from the Enlightenment and close to liberal and democratic thinking, such as the sovereignty of the people, the constitutional order and the end of privileges, and social inequality.
Illustrated despotism showed its limitations When some of the less favored sectors by the traditional monarchical order made use of the intellectual methods and foundations of the Enlightenment to promote political changes and ideas related to constitutionalism, republicanism and liberalism. In this way, a rejection of all kinds of absolutism or despotism was imposed.
The clearest example was The French Revolution of 1789, which headed against the absolutist regime of Louis XVI (While its causes were multiple) and led to the declaration of the rights of man and citizen, inspired by the illustrated principles.
On the other hand, The project of some enlightened monarchs was interrupted by the different interests or personalities of their successors and For the wars that followed the French Revolution, which faced the revolutionary troops and the army of Napoleon Bonaparte with a series of European monarchies coalitions.
Main enlightened monarchs
The main enlightened monarchs were:
- Federico II of Prussia (1740-1786)
- José I of Portugal (1750-1777)
- Carlos III of Spain (1759-1788)
- Catalina II of Russia (1762-1796)
- Gustavo III of Sweden (1771-1792)
- María Teresa (1740-1780) and José II of Austria (1780-1790)
In general, these monarchs They had ministers who also professed illustrated ideas. Among these, the Marquis de Esquilache, the Marquis de la Ensenada, the Count of Campomanes and the Count of Floridablanca in Spain, and the Marquis de Pombal in Portugal, stood out.
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References
- Beales, D. (2005). Enllightnement and reform in 18th-century Europe. Tauris
- Domínguez Ortiz, A. (2005). Carlos III and the Spain of the Enlightenment. Alliance.
- Duignan, B. (2023). Enlightenment. Britannica Encyclopedia. https://www.britannica.com/
- Hunt, L., Martin, Tr, Rosenwein, BH & Smith, BG (2016). The Making of the West. Peoples and Cultures. 5th Edition. BEDFORD/ST. Martin’s.
