Final answer:
Absolutism was a form of government in Western Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries where political power was centralized in the hands of the monarch. From studying absolutism, I have learned about the concentration of power in autocratic rulers and the lack of checks and balances in these systems. It has also enabled me to understand how the absolutist era laid the foundations for the market economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Absolutism was a form of government in Western Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries where political power was centralized in the hands of the monarch. Monarchs had absolute control over their kingdoms, making all decisions and laws. This was often justified by the belief in divine providence, where the monarch was seen as chosen by God to govern.
From studying absolutism, I have learned about the concentration of power in autocratic rulers and the lack of checks and balances in these systems. It has also enabled me to understand how the absolutist era laid the foundations for the market economy, as the concepts of power and wealth were closely intertwined.
Overall, absolutism was a period of centralized political power and monarchs with absolute control, often stemming from the belief in divine providence. It played a significant role in shaping political and economic practices during the Enlightenment.