Ideas políticas y agentes del triunfo del Despotismo Ilustrado Español(1756-1766)

Abstract

The Enlightened Despotism in Spain was an effective method to modernize the absolutism during the time that the pieces of the system –King, Domus Regia, updating state, pragmatic Illustration- were balanced. The time of splendour was during the kingdom of Fernando VI, with the government of Carvajal-Ensenada and even with Ricardo Wall. The arrival of the Italians with Carlos III threw off the balance of the formula, causing a great political disquietude that broke out in 1766 amidst the shortage and protest of lower classes. The new government made the unbalance even deeper making of the king, a sacred Carlos III, unappealable supreme authority , the only piece that dominated all the rest. The real fancy allowed the reforms and an atmosphere of prosperity and good government spread across the country due to capable ministers, but the new Spanish Enlightened Despotism, forged during the mutinies, was deepening the idea –an idea so costly for the king himself and many illustrated ministers- of an everlasting Spain in which absolute monarchy and a sole religion would be natural and firm basis of the state and of the “kingdom constitution”.