THE ENLIGHTENMENT

 THE ENLIGHTENMENT: IDEAS FOR CHANGE

 The Enlightenment was an important intellectual movement that emerged in Europe during the 18th century. Enlightenment thinkers criticised the traditions of the Ancient R gime and suggested new é ideas to change and reform society. They believed, for example, that all people should have the same legal rights and freedoms. Enlightenment thinkers wanted to “enlighten” society by using reason, science and education. Their ideas were spread through newspapers, periodicals and books, such as the Enciclopedia. They were also taught and discussed in schools and special academies. Enlightenment thinkers wanted to make substancial changes in various areas of society. In relation to politics, they proposed measures to limit the powers of absolute monarchs.

 • MONTESQUIEU argued for the separation of powers. This meant that the three branches of government (the legislative, executive and judicial branches) should be separate from one another. 

• VOLTAIRE favoured a strong monarchy, but he also supported the existence of a parliament. 

• ROUSSEAU introduced the idea of popular sovereignty. He wrote in “The Social Contract”, that a goverment can only obtain authority (a “contract”) over the people if the people themselves consent to that authority. God does not decide who is in power, but us. 

In relation to economy, a group of thinkers called the Physiocrats argued that agriculture was the true source of wealth. They also believed that the state should not interfere with trade and other economic activities. In relation to society, Enlightenment thinkers criticised the social inequality of the estates system and argued that no group should have special privileges under the law.