Final answer:
France, particularly under the reign of Louis XIV, established the standard for 17th century absolutism, which was characterized by centralized power and a reduction in the role of the nobility in governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The country that set the standard for 17th century absolutism was France, under the rule of Louis XIV, known as the 'Sun King.' As feudalism declined, France, turned into a nation-state characterized by centralized administration and codified laws, guarded by professional standing armies. Louis XIV epitomized divine-right monarchy and practiced absolutism by consolidating power in his own hands, reducing the nobility's role in governance, and aiming to increase France's power and wealth, which were seen as interchangeable at the time.
Absolutism in France served as a stark contrast to the emerging Enlightenment ideas that soon began to challenge the authority of absolute monarchs like Louis XIV. The Enlightenment promoted the belief that governments should protect the natural rights of life, liberty, and property, a stark contrast to the divine right theory that had long empowered monarchs in Europe.