Enlightened Despotism

Enlightened despotism refers to a form of government where an absolute ruler, or despot, exercises power but embraces ideas from the Enlightenment, such as reason, individual rights, and progress. These rulers, who include figures like Frederick the Great and Catherine the Great, often implemented reforms to promote education, legal rights, and economic development, believing that enlightened governance would lead to a stronger state. Although they maintained authority and limited political freedoms, their goal was to improve society through rational policies, blending autocracy with some progressive ideals.