Why were enlightenment ideals never fully practiced by eightenth century rulers?

Answer 1

The Enlightenment encouraged the people to become more educated and to question their treatment and the governing styles that they were ruled under. By discouraging the Enlightenment ideals - the rulers were able to maintain rule as they saw fit more readily. Also take into account that the Enlightenment overlapped the French Revolution which led to a great many leaders being beheaded as a way to change the governing style that the people did not appreciate. Bentley, J., & Ziegler, H. (2007). Traditions & Encounters, Volume 2 From 1500 to the Present. New York City: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages.

Answer 2

Three of the 18th century rulers seemed to be interested in enlightened reforms. However all three monarchs (Catherine the Great, Maria Theresa, and Frederick the Great) seemed to only like to talk about these reforms. Then there was one ruler who attempted to make enlightened reforms, however Joseph III's reform plan was a complete failure. The rulers were aiming towards expanding their own territories and the well being of their own state, therefore this might have called for a war between two states, such as, Prussia and Austria. Therefore, a state would be investing more in the army rather than in the educational system, collecting more taxes to wage war and gain more power. Although enlightened reforms condemned wars as a foolish act, the monarch of the 18th led costly battles against each other. The rulers were governed by their own selfish and self-interest desires, which were practically to gain more power and prestige.