What concept did Enlightenment thinkers primarily advocate for in governance?

Enlightenment thinkers primarily advocated for the concept of individual rights and the use of reason in governance. This period emphasized the importance of human reason, critical thought, and the idea that individuals have inherent rights that should be protected by the state. Key figures, such as John Locke, argued that governments should be founded on the consent of the governed and that individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

This concept was revolutionary at the time because it challenged the traditional belief in the divine right of kings, which suggested that monarchs derived their authority from God and were accountable only to Him. Enlightenment thinkers sought to limit the power of rulers and promote democracy and civil liberties through reasoned debate and philosophical discourse, laying the groundwork for modern democratic ideas.

In contrast, the notions of absolute monarchies and tradition and hierarchy were more aligned with earlier governance models that concentrated power in the hands of a single ruler or upheld societal structures based on established customs, without regard for individual rights or rational governance.