Enlightenment thinkers profoundly influenced debates on governance in both the U.S. and Europe by promoting ideas of rationalism, individual rights, and the social contract. Philosophers like John Locke and Montesquieu challenged existing monarchies, proposing that legitimate government authority derives from the consent of the governed. Their emphasis on democratic principles and the separation of powers inspired foundational documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Enlightenment fostered a critical discourse on governance that encouraged the pursuit of liberty and justice, shaping modern political thought and institutions.