enlightenment: Lesson 3

The Enlightenment's impact on political thought cannot be overstated. Philosophers like Montesquieu and Rousseau introduced ideas of separation of powers and the general will, respectively. Montesquieu argued that government should be divided into branches to prevent tyranny, a concept that heavily influenced the formation of modern democracies, including the United States Constitution. Rousseau's belief that legitimate political authority relies on the collective will of the people paved the way for democratic principles. These ideas challenged the absolute rule of monarchs and promoted the concept of government being accountable to the governed.