California Teacher Credentialing Examination (CSET) Practice Test

A characteristic of enlightened despotism is the influence of Enlightenment philosophies on rulers. Enlightened despots were monarchs who, while maintaining absolute power, sought to incorporate some ideas of the Enlightenment into their governance. This included reforms aimed at modernizing their states, improving the lives of their subjects, and promoting rational thought, education, and legal equality.

These rulers believed in their authority but recognized the significance of Enlightenment ideas such as reason, progress, and individual rights. While they retained ultimate control and often resisted full democratic reforms, their reigns were marked by efforts to apply Enlightenment principles, thus creating a unique blend between absolute rule and progressive governance. This approach distinguished enlightened despotism from more traditional forms of despotism that dismissed Enlightenment ideas entirely.