Asked by Havon

How did the Enlightenment’s theories of government view the role of government?

as benevolent
as absolute
as transparent
as useful

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Answer: as useful.

Enlightenment thinkers generally saw government as an instrument created by reason and the social contract to protect natural rights and promote the public good. Thinkers like Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau argued governments should be limited, accountable, and structured (separation of powers) to serve society—not absolute rule. (Some intellectuals favored "enlightened" monarchs, but the dominant idea was that government’s role is practical and service‑oriented.)