She centralised and modernised the institutions, and her reign was considered as the beginning of the era of "enlightened absolutism" in Austria, with a brand new approach towards governing: the measures undertaken by rulers became more modern and rational, and thoughts were given to the welfare of the state and the people.
Pada masanya, lembaga-lembaga pemerintahan disentralisasi dan dimodernisasi, dan masa pemerintahannya juga dianggap sebagai permulaan zaman "absolutisme tercerahkan" di Austria, dengan pendekatan baru terhadap cara memerintah: tindakan-tindakan penguasa menjadi lebih modern dan rasional, dan juga lebih mempertimbangkan kesejahteraan negara dan rakyat.