How do enlightenment thinkers believe a person should rule ?
http://www.crf-usa.org/bill-of-rights-in-action/bria-20-2-c-hobbes-locke-montesquieu-and-rousseau-on-government.html
Enlightenment thinkers held diverse views on how a person should be ruled. However, one predominant idea among them was the concept of "enlightened despotism." This concept emphasized that a ruler, often an absolute monarch, should rule with enlightened principles and utilize reason and knowledge to govern.
To understand how enlightenment thinkers believed a person should rule, one could explore the works of influential philosophers like John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. These philosophers paved the way for Enlightenment political thought and presented various theories on governance.
1. John Locke: Locke advocated for a social contract between the ruler and the people, suggesting that rulers derive their power from the consent of the governed. He promoted the idea of a limited government that protects people's natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
2. Baron de Montesquieu: Montesquieu introduced the concept of the separation of powers. He argued that a well-functioning government required a division of power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This system would prevent the concentration of power and ensure checks and balances.
3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Rousseau emphasized the sovereignty of the people and the general will. His theory proposed that a ruler should govern in accordance with the collective interests and desires of the citizens. He believed in direct democracy and the active participation of citizens in decision-making.
These are just a few examples, but understanding the ideas of other Enlightenment thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, Immanuel Kant, and Voltaire can further enrich perspectives on how they believed a person should rule.
By studying the works of these philosophers, one can gain insights into the various theories and principles that influenced Enlightenment thinkers' beliefs on ruling. It is essential to note that their ideas differed, and there was no singular consensus on how a person should rule.