They are considered to be enlightened despots because they still ruled absolutely, but they did implement many things that came from the west and was a part of the enlightenment philosophy. They were like benevolent dictators, they did what they wanted but it was usually a good thing for the people.
Did the US need to drop the atomic bomb on Japan in order to win the war? Do you think it was necessary to kill so many Japanese civilians with the atomic bomb in order for Japan to surrender?
