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