The key political philosophy that emerged from the Enlightenment is liberalism, which emphasizes individual rights, freedoms, and the belief in the capacity of reason. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Montesquieu laid the foundations for liberal ideas about governance, advocating for social contracts, separation of powers, and limited government. This philosophy challenged traditional authority and absolute monarchies, promoting the notion that governments should be based on the consent of the governed. Liberalism heavily influenced democratic movements and revolutions, contributing to the development of modern democratic states and the protection of civil liberties.