Enlightened Despotism Model

141 Words1 Pages
Were enlightenment and absolutism ever suitable? Lonnie Johnson answered that question by stating “[they] may appear incompatible in theory, but they were compatible in practice”. Peter the Great, Maria Theresa and Joseph II were the living proof of Johnson’s affirmation. Enlightened despotism, also known as enlightenment from above, was implemented by these rulers with the main objective of obtaining more power by securing the economic and educational improvement of their subjects. In contrast with Joseph II, Maria Theresa and Peter the Great did not considered themselves enlightened rulers. Regardless, their reforms still resembled the enlightened despotism model. These three rules implemented reforms with a shared goal and different government