Final answer:
The 18th century Enlightenment emphasized 'Freedom of People and Commerce' according to Pagden, reflecting the period's advocacy for natural rights and reason as the basis for authority and societal structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Pagden, the 18th century Enlightenment discourse on empire emphasized "Freedom of People and Commerce".
The Enlightenment was a profound intellectual movement in the 18th century that highlighted the power of reason and advocated for ideals such as liberty, progress, tolerance, fraternity, constitutional government, and separation of church and state. Thinkers like Rousseau and Locke challenged the divine right of kings, advocating instead for a social contract reflecting the general will of the people. This period of enlightenment was characterized by philosophical discussions focused on individualism, equality under the law, and natural rights, paving the way for democratic principles and moral justifications for revolutionary change.