Enlightenment Politics

Enlightenment politics refers to ideas from the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individual rights, and scientific thinking as foundations for government and society. Thinkers like John Locke argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, and that governments should protect these rights through consent and reasoned laws. This movement promoted ideas such as democracy, separation of powers, and freedom of expression, challenging absolute monarchy and traditional authority. Overall, Enlightenment politics aimed to make governments more just, rational, and responsive to the needs of individuals, shaping modern notions of human rights and democratic governance.