What impact did Enlightenment thinkers have on government structure?

Enlightenment thinkers had a profound impact on the structure of government, primarily through their advocacy for constitutional government. The Enlightenment era was marked by an emphasis on reason, individual rights, and the social contract, leading philosophers such as John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau to challenge traditional forms of governance, including absolute monarchies.

These thinkers proposed that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed and advocated for systems that limit the power of rulers through constitutions and laws. They emphasized the importance of separating powers within government to prevent tyranny, thereby paving the way for modern democratic principles. This foundational concept laid the groundwork for many contemporary governments that value civil liberties and the rule of law.

The other options presented do not align with Enlightenment principles. Hereditary monarchy, widespread censorship, and a return to feudalism represent concepts contrary to the Enlightenment's focus on reason, progress, and individual freedoms. Instead, Enlightenment thinkers pushed for reforms that would lead to more egalitarian and representative forms of governance.