Description

The 18th century marked a period of profound change in Europe, where philosophical currents, social upheaval, and the desire for political stability converged, giving birth to the concept of Enlightened Absolutism. This era saw monarchs across Europe attempt to reconcile their absolute rule with the rising tide of Enlightenment thought. Enlightened Absolutism was not a singular ideology but rather an approach to governance that blended the concepts of rational statecraft, enlightened reforms, and centralized monarchical authority. The intellectual groundwork for this unique form of absolutism can be traced to the core ideas of the Enlightenment, which emphasized reason, progress, individual liberty, and secularism.