Enlightened despotism refers to a government where an absolute monarch exercises their power with a focus on implementing progressive and rational reforms for the benefit of the people.

What Is Enlightened Despotism

These rulers, known as “enlightened despots“, aim to improve society through education, infrastructure development, legal reforms, and social policies. While they maintain strong authority, enlightened despots are influenced by the ideas of the
Enlightenment, emphasizing reason, tolerance, and progress.