enlightened absolutist
Historical term for a monarch who embraced Enlightenment ideas while maintaining absolute power. Archaic in modern political discourse; see also 啓蒙専制君主.
See also: 啓蒙専制君主
Frederick the Great is considered a prime example of an enlightened absolutist.
Compound of 啓蒙 (enlightenment) + 絶対 (absolute) + 君主 (monarch). A calque from Western historical terminology.