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Enlightened Absolutism
Yes he was!
Enlightened despotism is a form of absolute monarchy or despotism in which rulers were influenced by the Enlightenment. The primary enlightenment idea undermined is democracy. Such as Catherine the Great and Napolean.
James F. Brennan has written:
'Enlightened despotism in Russia' -- subject(s): Enlightenment, History
Prussia, Austria, and Russia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, and several of the smaller German and Italian states.