list three ways government worked before the enlightenment and three ways enlightenment thinkers believed government should work.

Before the Enlightenment:

1. Monarchy: Many governments before the Enlightenment were absolute monarchies, where a single ruler held all the power. The monarch's authority was usually based on hereditary right or divine right, and they had complete control over the administration and decision-making processes.

2. Feudal System: In medieval Europe, the feudal system was prevalent, where a hierarchical structure existed with the king at the top, followed by nobles and vassals. The system was characterized by the exchange of land for loyalty and military service. The government primarily focused on maintaining order and protecting the interests of the nobility.

3. Theocracy: In some societies, especially those strongly influenced by religion, government was organized as theocracy. In a theocratic system, religious leaders held significant control over political decision-making, and laws and regulations were often based on religious doctrines.

Enlightenment Thinkers' Ideas:

1. Separation of Powers: Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau advocated for a system of government where power was divided into separate branches. They proposed a separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful.

2.Limited Government: Enlightenment philosophers believed in the importance of limiting the authority of the government and protecting individual liberties. They argued against absolute monarchies and promoted the idea that governments should be established with the consent of the governed, serving and protecting the rights of individuals.

3. Social Contract: Enlightenment thinkers proposed the idea of a social contract between citizens and their government. According to this concept, individuals willingly give up some of their natural rights to the government in exchange for protection and the maintenance of societal order. However, if the government fails to fulfill its obligations, individuals have the right to revoke their consent and establish a new government.