Final answer:
Before the Enlightenment, the power to make and enforce laws was often held by absolute monarchs. The Enlightenment challenged this power and led to the emergence of systems where laws were made and enforced by governments that were more accountable to the people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The power to make and enforce laws varied depending on the time period and region in question. Before the Enlightenment, the power to make and enforce laws was often held by absolute monarchs, who had the authority to enact laws and ensure their implementation. These monarchs claimed their power through the concept of divine right, which stated that they were chosen by God to rule.
During the Enlightenment, new ideas emerged that challenged the absolute power of monarchs. Philosophers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Baron de Montesquieu argued for the rights of individuals and the need for checks on government power. These ideas influenced the formation of constitutional monarchies, republics, and other forms of government where power was shared or limited.
Ultimately, the Enlightenment helped to shift power away from absolute monarchs and towards systems where laws were made and enforced by governments that were more accountable to the people they governed.