The significance of the Enlightenment on modern political thought is immense. Spanning from the late 17th to the 18th century, the Enlightenment was characterized by a focus on reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. Thinkers like John Locke, Voltaire, and Montesquieu championed ideas about natural rights, separation of powers, and the social contract. These concepts laid the philosophical foundation for modern democracies, emphasizing the importance of individual freedoms and governance based on consent. The Enlightenment also questioned the legitimacy of monarchies and established a framework for political discourse that values rational debate, leading to revolutions and reforms across the globe.