Enlightened despotism and its ideals

 

          

Despot:

·      A ruler who has total power and who often uses that power in cruel and unfair ways

·      I am the state - Louis XIV

Enlightenment:

·      Intellectual period of the 17^th and 18^th century based on the idea that society could be improved by the use of reason.

Enlightened Despotism:

·      Change in attitude: acceleration of old institution of monarchy without the religious buttress.

·      Enlightened despots sought to justify themselves in the light of reason and secular usefulness.

·      I am the first and foremost employee of the state. – Frederick

·      Atonement for the monarchy- Lord Acton

          

         Paradigm of Enlightened Despotism

Secular

·      Claimed no mandate from heaven

·      Recognized no responsibility to god or church

Rational & Reformist

·      Typical enlightened despot set out to reconstruct his/her state by the use of reason

·      Impatient of custom (all referred to as “feudal”)

Methods

·      Uncompromising & abrupt: wanted change and wanted it immediately

·      Contradictory: Enlightened Despots were comfortable with contradiction

·      Selected certain enlightened ideas and denied others as they sought fit for their monarchy and state

·      Could be enlightened in some ways and despotic in others

                      Idols of Enlightened Despotism

Peter the Great––Russia

Catherine the Great––Russia   

Frederick the Great––Prussia

 

           Drawbacks of Enlightened Despotism

 

1. Primacy of dynastic interests

2. Lack of heartfelt desire of the rulers towards reforms

3. Illiteracy of the public

4. Disqualification of dynastic heirs