In 4 to 6 sentences what was a idea that Rousseau had that was challenged absolute monarchy.

1 answer

One idea that Rousseau had that challenged absolute monarchy was the concept of popular sovereignty. He believed that political authority should ultimately reside with the people, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a single ruler. Rousseau also argued that all individuals should have a say in the decision-making process, rather than being subject to the whims of a monarch. This challenged the idea of divine right, which asserted that kings were given absolute power by God. Instead, Rousseau believed in the collective will of the people as the basis for legitimate authority. His ideas paved the way for the development of democratic principles that continue to shape political systems around the world.