What Was Enlightened Absolutism?

In the second half of the 18th century, several powerful monarchs claimed to rule according to reason and the public good while keeping full authority in their own hands. Historians call this enlightened absolutism, or enlightened despotism, labels applied and popularized mainly by later historians. Rulers such as Frederick II of Prussia, Catherine II of Russia and Joseph II of Austria corresponded with philosophes, codified laws, promoted religious toleration, reduced torture, expanded schooling and encouraged trade and agriculture.

Many philosophes hoped that a wise ruler could reform society faster than any assembly, since a single will could sweep away privileges and superstition. Yet these monarchs also built larger armies and bureaucracies, fought aggressive wars and kept serfdom largely intact. A phrase often linked to the idea, 'everything for the people, nothing by the people', captures the tension: reform came from above, without political participation from below. Whether enlightenment or state power was the real goal is a central question of this unit.