Which historical period is most closely associated with Absolutism?

The Age of Enlightenment is most closely associated with Absolutism because this period saw significant philosophical developments that both supported and challenged absolutist ideas. During the 17th and 18th centuries, European monarchs ruled with absolute power, often justified by the notion of divine right, which was central to many absolutist governments. Thinkers from the Enlightenment era, such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, contributed to the discourse around governance, power, and the role of the state, influencing the structure and acceptance of absolute rule.

While Enlightenment thought did later fuel ideas for constitutionalism and democracy, its early works were instrumental in shaping political theories that both aligned with and opposed absolutist rule. The Enlightenment provided a backdrop of intellectual inquiry that interrogated the authority of kings, offering a spectrum of governance philosophies that directly interacted with the practices of absolutism.

The other periods mentioned, such as the Middle Ages, were dominated by feudalism and church authority rather than the concentrated royal power typical of absolutism. The Industrial Revolution primarily focused on economic and social changes rather than political theory in governance structures, while the Renaissance was characterized more by a resurgence of art and classical learning than by absolute monarchy dynamics. Hence, the Age of Enlightenment