- Question
Is enlightened despotism superior to democracy?
Can a wise, benevolent autocrat govern better than a democracy? This entry sets out the two positions on whether enlightened despotism is superior to democracy — that it is, and that it is not.
Position 1 of 2
Read this position →Yes, enlightened despotism is superior to democracy
This position holds that a single wise and benevolent ruler governs better than a democracy, because such a ruler can act on expert judgement, take a long view and decide quickly, free of the bargaining and short horizons that elections impose.
Position 2 of 2
Read this position →No, enlightened despotism is not superior to democracy
This position holds that enlightened despotism is no improvement on democracy, because nothing keeps a ruler wise or benevolent once there is no way to remove them, and democracy supplies the consent and correction that unchecked rule cannot.