What did the Enlightenment ideals advocate regarding government?

The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. One of the key ideals that emerged during this period was the concept of separation of powers, which advocates for dividing governmental responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. This idea was prominently articulated by philosophers such as Montesquieu, who argued that government should be structured to safeguard liberty and prevent tyranny by ensuring that legislative, executive, and judicial powers remain separate and can check each other.

The separation of powers has had a profound influence on the formation of modern democracies, most notably the United States Constitution, which institutionalized this principle to create a balanced system of governance. By distributing authority among different branches, the potential for abuse of power is diminished, and the rights and freedoms of individuals are better protected.