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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page essay/research paper that analyzes the theory of "enlightened despotism," which was a popular notion during the eighteenth century Enlightenment era. During the second half of the eighteenth century, many European monarchs listened to the enlightened philosophers of the age and undertook far reaching reforms in both their institutions and policies (Gay 491). Nineteenth century historians have labeled these rulers as "Enlightened Despots" (Gay 491). This examination of these rulers seeks to understand to what extent, if any, that the policies instituted by these monarchs reflected a budding republicanism and the beginning of democracy, as well as how Enlightenment philosophies tended to regard the human condition. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
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4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khenldes.rtf
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(Gay 491). Nineteenth century historians have labeled these rulers as "Enlightened Despots" (Gay 491). The following examination of these rulers seeks to understand to what extent, if any, that the
policies instituted by these monarchs reflected a budding republicanism and the beginning of democracy, as well as how Enlightenment philosophies tended to regard the human condition. "Enlightened despots"
included monarchs such as Catherine II of Russia; Frederick II of Prussia; and Maria Theresa of Austria, among others (Gay 491). The range of reform that was available to
them was necessarily restricted; therefore, their efforts in this area bear similarities to one another. Basically, these reforms consisted of efforts to institute more effective systems of government within their
respective countries (Gay 491-492). Each monarch worked to simplify regulations, increase trade, humanize the criminal code and help farmers and craftsmen (Gay 492). However, none of these rulers were visionaries,
as their focus was on addressing practical problems in order to survive politically (Gay 492). According to French Enlightenment philosophers, human societies could be governed by universal laws, rationally
perceived, that would be good for all human beings everywhere (Berkowitz 89). However, Enlightenment thinkers saw no reason to attach this perception strictly to principles of democracy. They saw no
contradiction in having an enlightened despot elaborating and administrating such universal rules (Berkowitz 89). Furthermore, as French philosophers generally had a very low opinion concerning the capabilities of the common
people, they generally believed that it was only an enlightened despot who capable of grasping and governing "in accordance with the dictates of universal reason" (Berkowitz 89). The idea
of the "general will," which was formulated most significantly by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) in The Social Contract (1762), argued that the peoples best interests could be discerned without either their
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