The impact of the Enlightenment on modern democracy is profound, as it introduced ideas about liberty, equality, and governance based on the consent of the governed. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu articulated concepts that influenced democratic principles, including human rights, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. These ideas laid the philosophical groundwork for modern democratic institutions, advocating for a government accountable to its citizens and based on rational discourse.