The Enlightenment significantly affected political thought by promoting ideas of reason, democracy, and individual rights. Philosophers such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau challenged traditional authority and envisioned governance based on social contracts and the consent of the governed. Their ideas laid the groundwork for modern democratic systems, emphasizing liberty, equality, and justice. Enlightenment principles inspired revolutionary movements, notably the American and French Revolutions, which sought to establish governments reflecting the will of the people rather than monarchs or autocrats. Furthermore, the Enlightenment's emphasis on rational thought and scientific inquiry encouraged civic engagement and critical examination of social norms.