Asked by caleb

How did the leaders of the Age of Enlightenment think about the relationship between peace and justice and the monarchy?

Peace and justice are only possible in a world ruled by strong figures of authority.

Peace and justice occur only when a king or queen rule according to the social contract.

Peace and justice are not possible in a nation ruled by a monarch.

Peace and justice are the sole responsibility of the king or queen to maintain.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Best answer: "Peace and justice occur only when a king or queen rule according to the social contract."

Why: Most major Enlightenment thinkers grounded political legitimacy in the consent of the governed and in rules/laws rather than in the divine right of kings. John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that rulers must respect the social contract (protect natural rights or the general will); Montesquieu emphasized constitutional limits and separation of powers (not absolute personal rule).

Notes on the other choices:
- "Only possible in a world ruled by strong figures": reflects Hobbes (and later proponents of enlightened despotism) but is not the general Enlightenment consensus.
- "Not possible in a nation ruled by a monarch": too sweeping—many Enlightenment writers accepted constitutional or "enlightened" monarchies as compatible with peace and justice.
- "Sole responsibility of the king or queen": incorrect; Enlightenment thought stressed laws, institutions, rights, and sometimes popular sovereignty as essential for justice and peace, not mere royal will.