What concept did the Enlightenment emphasize regarding government and citizens?

The Enlightenment placed a strong emphasis on the idea that citizens should have a role in governance. Enlightenment thinkers advocated for reason, individual rights, and the social contract, which suggested that government’s authority derives from the consent of the governed. Philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that a legitimate government must be based on the will of the people. This emphasis on the participation of citizens was revolutionary, challenging the traditional notion of absolute monarchy where rulers held unquestioned power over their subjects. The Enlightenment thus contributed to the development of democratic principles, including the belief that citizens should actively engage in political processes and have a stake in the decisions that affect their lives.