Joseph was an enlightened absolutist ruler, incorporating reason and Enlightenment ideals into his administration. Emperor Joseph's enlightened despot contemporaries, Catherine the Great of Russia and Frederick the Great of Prussia, both claimed to detest feudalism yet chose to appease their noble classes by strengthening the serfdom system during their years in power.
Joseph was a wise absolute ruler who embraced Enlightenment ideals. Rulers like Catherine the Great of Russia and Frederick the Great of Prussia, who declared an aversion to feudalism but actually strengthened serfdom for their noble classes while in power, shared Joseph's era.