Final answer:
Enlightenment ideals of freedom and natural rights are evident in many countries, such as European democracies, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, each with their unique applications and differences compared to the U.S., influenced by their specific historical, cultural, and political contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enlightenment ideas such as freedom and natural rights continue to influence many countries around the world today, similar yet unique to the way they manifest in the United States.
Nations that hold these principles at their core include various democracies in Europe, such as the United Kingdom, France, and the Scandinavian countries, as well as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, among others. These countries, like the U.S., value the rule of law, equal rights, and political freedom inspired by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu.
However, there are differences in how they apply these principles. For instance, some European countries have a constitutional monarchy where a monarch shares power with a parliamentary system, unlike the U.S., which is a republic with a presidential system.
Moreover, social welfare policies may be more extensive in countries like Sweden or Denmark, reflecting a different balance between individual liberty and collective welfare compared to the U.S. The extension of natural rights also varies, as historically not all groups were given the same rights, and this remains an ongoing issue of equality and equity worldwide.
Overall, while the essence of the Enlightenment—championing the dignity and rights of the individual—remains central, each country's historical context, cultural nuances, and political evolution contribute to distinct interpretations and implementations of these ideas.