Status Updates From Kaunitz and Enlightened Abs...

Kaunitz konstprogram

Joseph von Sonnenfels

Kameralismen i österrike.

Kaunitz once again stressed the necessity of precise
instructions to the bureaucracy, and of very clear, "well-understood"
ideological premises and guidelines. Because he felt that, for the most part,
problems in the Habsburg government were those of execution rather than
structure, the apparently self-evident could not be repeated often enough.

and more worthy of a noble soul to reign over free and thinking beings, than to rule
over base slaves

Despotic regimes might content themselves with intimidations and punishments.
However, in a Monarchy where we are dealing with civilized nations we must also
take care to reward merit, not to stifle a certain spiritual progress, with its love for
prince and fatherland, and not to rob ourselves of the benefits of those achievements
created by thoughts and feelings. It must never be forgotten that it is a greater joy

Kejserliga rikshovrätten - UD för kejsardömet - skapat som svar på krav från kurfurstarna under 1500-talet. Därav de "familjearkana" frågorna som hölls bortom det.

The key to this paradoxical behaviour becomes clear when it is
supplemented with other well-known traits of Kaunitz. He tended to be
aloof and had few really intimate friends. He was unpopular with his peers,
but remained genuinely indifferent to this isolation. He offered his
convictions with a calm certitude, even an air of infallibility. He never
displayed an iota of personal greed.

Peers and superiors, in particular, found his comportment cool and even offensive. He could be extremely blunt and frank, and could cut to the quick with a dry but biting sarcasm.

characterizations of Kaunitz remains the caustic bon mot of his notoriously
derisive arch-foe, Frederick II of Prussia: "frivolous in his tastes and
profound in business.