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 *I think it's important to keep in mind that the term ""enlightened despotism"" is a very well established term in scholarly historical literature which refers not to some general transhistorical, universal idea about which we are free to speculate, but rather denotes a set of very specific discourses, namely, the discourses on the art of governance by intellectuals, bureaucrats, and rulers of 18th century Europe.  I think that this article should keep as much as possible to a discussion of the relevant 18th century texts and modern history and historiography about that period.  I'm not sure that making a list of ""enlightened monarchs"" is a very good idea for this article, as there is no set criteria that would certify a monarch as ""enlightened""."