Which of the following ideologies began to challenge Absolutism during the Enlightenment?

Democratic republicanism emerged as a significant ideology that challenged Absolutism during the Enlightenment. This political philosophy advocates for a system in which power resides with the people and their elected representatives, rather than being concentrated in a singular authority, such as a monarch. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued for the principles of popular sovereignty and the social contract, which supported the idea that governments should derive their authority from the consent of the governed. This was a radical departure from autocratic rule, as it emphasized individual rights and the belief that rulers could be held accountable by their subjects.

The Enlightenment was characterized by a shift toward reason and scientific thought, encouraging people to question traditional structures of power. Democratic republicanism not only promoted political reform to limit the powers of monarchs but also inspired revolutions, such as the American and French Revolutions, which sought to establish governments reflecting these new ideals.

In contrast, ideologies like feudalism, socialism, and monarchism primarily reinforce or rely on existing power structures. Feudalism, with its hierarchical land ownership and obligations, is fundamentally at odds with Enlightenment calls for egalitarianism. Socialism, while advocating for equality, arose later and focused more on economic aspects