Which Enlightenment ideas influenced Frederick II’s views on government?

Frederick II of Prussia, often known as Frederick the Great, was a leading exponent of enlightened despotism, a political philosophy that synthesized absolute rule with the rationalist ideals of the Enlightenment.1

His views on government were shaped by several core Enlightenment principles:

• Primacy of the State: Frederick believed that a ruler’s primary duty was to the state, which took precedence over personal or dynastic interests. He viewed kingship as a burden of "untiring and conscientious work," where the monarch acted as the "soul of a state" to ensure efficient administration and the prosperity of his subjects.2
• Rationalism and Law: He advocated for simple, rational laws adapted to the needs of his people. While he exercised personal, absolute rule, he maintained that his power was not arbitrary but exercised within the limits of the law.2
• Religious Toleration: Influenced by the broader intellectual currents of his age, Frederick championed religious toleration, which helped reduce sectarian rancor and fostered a more inclusive society.13
• Public Service: He adopted the Enlightenment belief that the government was the chief instrument for societal improvement, focusing on economic development, education, and the modernization of industrial techniques.3

While he corresponded with thinkers like Voltaire, Frederick remained a pragmatic autocrat who balanced these progressive ideals with the conservative realities of maintaining power through the Junker class.134