(6 points) How did governments change as a result of Enlightenment ideas?
1. Limited government: Enlightenment thinkers promoted the idea of limited government, where the power of rulers was restricted and balanced by a system of checks and balances. This led to the establishment of constitutional monarchies and the development of democratic institutions.
2. Rule of law: The Enlightenment brought a greater emphasis on the rule of law, where laws were seen as applying equally to all individuals, including the ruling elite. This helped to reduce the power of arbitrary rulers and promote the idea of justice and equality before the law.
3. Separation of powers: Enlightenment thinkers such as Montesquieu argued for the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. This concept became a foundational principle in many modern political systems, ensuring that no one branch of government could become too powerful.
4. Social contract: Enlightenment philosophers like Rousseau promoted the idea of a social contract between rulers and the ruled, where the legitimacy of government stemmed from the consent of the governed. This idea helped to justify popular sovereignty and the right of people to overthrow oppressive governments.
5. Religious tolerance: Enlightenment ideas also led to a push for religious tolerance and the separation of church and state. Many governments began to adopt policies that allowed for greater freedom of religion and protected individuals from persecution based on their beliefs.
6. Emphasis on individual rights: Enlightenment thinkers championed the idea of individual rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial. This led to the establishment of legal protections for these rights in many modern constitutions and laws.