To what extent were Catherine the Great’s social and economic policies influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment in the years to 1789?

Catherine the Great's reign (1762-1796) coincided with the peak of the European Enlightenment, a philosophical movement emphasizing reason, individual liberty, and progress. While Catherine styled herself as an "enlightened monarch" and implemented numerous reforms, the extent to which her policies were genuinely influenced by Enlightenment ideals is debatable. This essay will argue that while Catherine's policies were shaped by Enlightenment rhetoric and employed some of its principles, they ultimately remained rooted in pragmatism and the consolidation of her own autocratic power.

Catherine’s Key Aims and Priorities

Catherine’s primary aim was to modernize Russia and elevate its status among European powers. Recognizing the backwardness of Russian society compared to the West, she sought to improve education, codify laws, and stimulate economic growth. This ambition aligned with the Enlightenment emphasis on progress and rational government. However, Catherine's commitment to these goals was tempered by her determination to maintain autocratic rule. Any reform threatening her power or the existing social hierarchy was swiftly curtailed, highlighting the limits of Enlightenment influence on her policies.

Reforms to Society, Including Education and Religion

Catherine’s social reforms were piecemeal and often cautious. She commissioned the Legislative Commission in 1767, aiming to collect information and propose legal reforms based on the principles of equality before the law and individual liberty, key Enlightenment concepts. Notably, her "Instruction" to the Commission, drawing heavily from Montesquieu and Beccaria, condemned serfdom and torture. However, the Commission achieved little concrete change and was eventually dissolved, suggesting that Catherine was more interested in appearing progressive than enacting radical social reform.

In education, Catherine introduced some reforms influenced by Enlightenment ideas. She established the first state-sponsored school for girls and promoted secular education. However, her efforts focused primarily on educating the nobility to serve the state efficiently. The vast majority of Russians remained illiterate and untouched by these limited educational advances. Similarly, while Catherine displayed religious tolerance, even welcoming Voltaire's writings, she maintained the Orthodox Church's dominant position and showed little interest in challenging religious dogma.

The Use of Physiocratic Ideas in the Development of the Economy

Catherine's economic policies were influenced by the physiocrats, a group of Enlightenment thinkers who believed in free trade and the importance of agriculture. She encouraged agricultural development by distributing land to nobles and inviting foreign farmers to settle in Russia. Her attempts to promote domestic and foreign trade, as well as her limited deregulation of certain industries, also aligned with physiocratic principles. These policies aimed to stimulate economic growth and increase state revenue, reflecting both Enlightenment ideas and Catherine's pragmatic desire to strengthen Russia's economic power.

Catherine’s Support for, and Contact with Enlightenment Thinkers

Catherine actively cultivated relationships with prominent Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and Diderot. She corresponded with them, provided financial support, and even purchased Diderot's library. While these interactions suggest a genuine interest in Enlightenment ideals, they also served a strategic purpose. By aligning herself with these intellectual giants, Catherine bolstered her image as an enlightened ruler on the European stage. This association enhanced her legitimacy and projected an image of Russia as a modernizing power, serving her political ambitions.

Conclusion

While Catherine the Great embraced the language and imagery of the Enlightenment, her policies were ultimately driven by a complex interplay of pragmatism, personal ambition, and a desire to secure her autocratic rule. She selectively implemented reforms that aligned with her goals, promoting education and economic development while avoiding any significant challenge to the existing social order. Though her reign witnessed some progress in areas like education and economic policy, the transformative potential of the Enlightenment was significantly tempered by her determination to maintain absolute power. Ultimately, Catherine's legacy as an "enlightened monarch" remains contested, a testament to the complexities of reconciling Enlightenment ideals with the realities of autocratic rule.