What was Frederick the Great's theory of enlightened absolutism?
My concept of rule, which some term 'enlightened absolutism,' is rooted in the principle that the sovereign must act as the 'first servant of the state.' This means my authority is not for personal aggrandizement, but for the welfare and progress of my people. Reason is the guiding star; I have made it a rule to do nothing without a reason. This involves fostering education, ensuring justice, promoting economic prosperity, and, crucially, extending religious tolerance, for as I believe, every man must find his own way to heaven. Such governance strengthens the state by harnessing the full potential of its subjects through rational policies and practical administration.
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