The Theory Of Enlightened Despotism And Its Impact On The Prussian System Of Government
During The Reign Of King Frederick Ii (1740-1786)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65074/9wq3kc96Keywords:
Frederick II, Enlightened Despotism, Prussia, GermanyAbstract
Received: 2025 / 09 / 14
Revision: 2025 / 10 / 06
Accepted: 2025 / 10 / 14
Published: 2026 / 09 / 30
King Frederick II was not a Despot in the style Prevalent in 18th-Century Europe. His Rule Was A Completely Different Model, Based On A Philosophy that Combined Despotism With Enlightenment. He Believed That The King Did Not Possess A Divine Right To Rule, But Rather Was The Primary Servant Of The State, whose Duty Was To Achieve The Well-Being of His People. Hence, the Choice Of The Research Topic: "The Theory of Enlightened Despotism And its Impact on the Prussian System of Government During The Reign of King Frederick II (1740-1786)." This Choice Also Stems From The Importance of King Frederick II in The History Of Prussia And Germany, Due To His Modernization Of The Judicial System, The Expansion Of Prussian Territories, And His Skillful Administration Of The State Through The Concept Of Enlightened Despotism.
The Research Is Divided Into Three Sections: The First, "Fredick II And The Policy of Enlightened Despotism"; The Second, "The System of Government during the Reign of Frederick II"; And The Third, "The Confirmation of the Central System in Light of Prussian Territorial Expansion."
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