The article is devoted to the characterization of Nicholas I as an enlightened monarch and the internal politics of the period of his reign as typical for enlightened absolutism. The author analyzes the process of forming the emperor’s worldview, which was based on the theory of the “public good”, broad education, personal inclinations, artistic talents and literary erudition. It is concluded that the emperor’s worldview was influenced by the ideas of N.M. Karamzin about the need for autocracy as form of government in Russia and the responsibility of the monarch for the fate of the state and subjects. The author notes some facts confirming that the internal policy of Nicholas I with the step-by-step reforms “from above” was formed within the framework of the “progressive conservative” concept of Russia’s development, corresponding to the principles of enlightened absolutism and gradual evolution policy of the state system. The article is of the debatable nature.
Vyskochkov Leonid (Mon,) studied this question.