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Originally posted by kevcvs57His record is very mixed - he spent an awful lot of money on follies and extravagances when money was short (in Swedish he is known as "the theatre king" ). He is violated his own 1772 Constitution by embarking on an aggressive war with Russia ("the theatre war" ).
What about some of the self proclaimed Enlightened Despots of Europe, such as 'Gustav the III' of Sweden.
But many of his domestic / social policies (e.g., restrictions on the use of the death penalty) do, indeed, seem enlightened.
Originally posted by TeinosukeI saw his portrait on wiki, He does look "Theatrical".😉 , seems to be a common theme amongst the Enlightened Despots", I think that they were more interested in their Enlightenment cred amongst their peers and courtiers than improving the lot of their subjects.
His record is very mixed - he spent an awful lot of money on follies and extravagances when money was short (in Swedish he is known as "the theatre king" ). He is violated his own 1772 Constitution by embarking on an aggressive war with Russia ("the theatre war"😉.
But many of his domestic / social policies (e.g., restrictions on the use of the death penalty) do, indeed, seem enlightened.
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Originally posted by kevcvs57He was assassinated at the Royal Opera House in Stockholm that he had himself founded.
I saw his portrait on wiki, He does look "Theatrical".😉 , seems to be a common theme amongst the Enlightened Despots", I think that they were more interested in their Enlightenment cred amongst their peers and courtiers than improving the lot of their subjects.
The assassination became the subject of an opera in turn, Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera - which, perhaps ironically, I shall be going to see over New Year at the Royal Opera House in Stockholm!
Originally posted by TeinosukeKing of Bhutan must earn top marks, giving up power to let his people grow. Sultan of Oman ... no, Oman has a nasty but well concealed security apparatus.
The OP did not ask for a dictatorship that was, on balance, benevolent, but for "the most benevolent" dictatorship, which one could interpret as "least destructive".
What do you think of my suggestions, the Sultan of Oman and the King of Bhutan (the former one, before some democracy was introduced)?
Ludwig of Bavaria - the Wagnerian - was mostly harmless.
I live the old idea of the Seven Year King, benevolently signing up to die at the end of his contract. I thought something similar could be instituted in the UK -- without, perhaps the death.
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Originally posted by Bosse de NageKing of Bhutan must earn top marks, giving up power to let his people grow.
Indeed, that was impressive, although it should be acknowledged that he had previously presided over some rather dubious policies aimed at the substantial Nepalese minority in his country.
Sultan of Oman ... no, Oman has a nasty but well concealed security apparatus.
That is probably true - although worth noting that Arab Spring protests in Oman were small-scale compared to in almost all other countries in the region. How does the King of Jordan (the region's other "liberal autocrat" ) compare?
Originally posted by TeinosukeNot wonderfully. Let's see what he does when they ask him to go (a day that is coming soon).
[b]King of Bhutan must earn top marks, giving up power to let his people grow.
Indeed, that was impressive, although it should be acknowledged that he had previously presided over some rather dubious policies aimed at the substantial Nepalese minority in his country.
Sultan of Oman ... no, Oman has a nasty but well concealed security apparatu ...[text shortened]... in the region. How does the King of Jordan (the region's other "liberal autocrat" ) compare?
Hmm, the Myanmar junta is being all benevolent lately, being nice to Auntie Aung. Of course she is not saying anything about the Rohingyas. Politics, politics.