The significance of the Enlightenment era in shaping modern political thought cannot be overstated. Lasting from the late 17th century to the 18th century, the Enlightenment emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. Philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu introduced ideas about human rights, democracy, and the separation of powers that became foundational to modern democratic governance. Enlightenment thinkers challenged absolute monarchy and proposed that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. These concepts laid the groundwork for revolutions across the globe, including the American and French Revolutions, reshaping political ideologies for centuries to come.