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