Relier Pairs The Old RegimenVersion en ligne The Enlightenment par Gehistart Artgeo 1 It should be applied to all areas of life 2 Knowledge 3 They therefore criticised some aspects of absolutism, the privileges of the nobility and the clergy, and the strict rules of guilds 4 He defended a strong monarchy with respect for civil liberties. He believed strongly in freedom of expression and rejected fanaticism and intolerance 5 Enlightened despotism monarchs 6 He defended the separation of powers: legislative power should be held by a representative Parliament, executive power by the King, and judicial power by independent judges 7 Education and the experimental science 8 He initiated a wide-ranging reform programme that made him Spain's greatest enlightened despo 9 He defended freedom and equality. He believed society corrupts human beings, who are naturally good. Sovereignty should reside in the people. For the benefit of the community, the people allow a higher authority to govern in their name 10 These private associations of enlightened thinkers met to discuss a variety of subjects. 11 Their reforms attempted to modernise Spain (new land was farmed in Sierra Morena, the privileges of the Mesta were reduced) 12 Natural rights Economic Societies of Friends of the Country Belonged to all human being Reason Enlightenment thinkers They founded new educational institutions, modernised their bureaucracies and expropriated unused lands It was the key to happiness They were considered vital for ongoing human progress.