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Enlightened despotism (also called benevolent despotism by modern historians) was the use of Enlightenment ideas and principles by monarchs to enhance the central government's power, and thereby their own. It is directly linked to the Enlightenment period in the 18th and early 19th century. An enlightened despot is a non-democratic or authoritarian leader who exercises his or her political power for the benefit of the people rather than exclusively for his or her self-interest or benefit, or for the benefit of only a small portion of the people. An enlightened despot may, for example, focus government priorities on matters of public importance. These matters include healthcare, education, population control, or physical infrastructure. He or she may be committed to peaceful relations, rather than wars or invasions of other states, and may even allow for some democratic decision-making to exist, such as through public referendums. Enlightened despots were monarchs who distinguished themselves from despots (in the ordinary sense) by the way they governed. They ruled (or claimed to rule) for the well-being of their subjects. As John Stuart Mill had articulated, "despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians, provided the end be their improvement". Enlightened rulers may have played a part in the abolition of serfdom in Europe.〔http://www.1902encyclopedia.com/S/SLA/slavery-12.html〕 Although their reigns were based upon Enlightenment, their beliefs about royal power were similar to those of regular despots. Enlightened despots believed that they were destined to be ruler the moment they were born. Emperor Joseph II once said: "Everything for the people, nothing by the people". ==Famous enlightened despots== 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Enlightened despotism」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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