Asher K. Sisneros
Prof. Thomas E. Woods, Jr.
Western Civilization Since 1493
October 28, 2024
Enlightened absolutism arose as a merger between principles of the Enlightenment and absolutism, hence the name. Monarchs lenient to Enlightenment thinkers such as Diderot and Voltaire wound up governing with policies that favored such philosophical ideas. Typically, they viewed themselves as “enlightened” rulers who must govern for the so-called better good, even if it be against the will of the populace. Thus the enlightened absolutists put themselves in a position as de facto saviors or demigods. Unfortunately, that is when most atrocities occur. Politicians who act in their own self-interests are bad, but politicians who act altruistically and think they can predict all the consequences of their policies are far more dangerous. Yet this, in effect, encapsulated the premise of enlightened absolutism: absolute (despotic) power for the benefit of the populace.
Asher Sisneros 