Final answer:
The Enlightenment brought forward key concepts like natural law, natural rights, and social contract theory, proposing that individuals have inherent rights and that government legitimacy stems from the consent of the governed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Development of Natural Law, Natural Rights, and Social Contract Theory
The concepts of natural law, natural rights, and the social contract theory played a crucial role in shaping modern political thought, especially during the Enlightenment period. Natural rights, which include fundamental freedoms like the right to life and liberty, are rights inherent to all humans and are not subject to human laws. These rights are often discussed in tandem with the idea of natural law, which posits that there are universal principles of justice and morality that human laws should align with.
The social contract theory, developed by philosophers such as John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, suggests that individuals consent to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the state in order to maintain a stable and just society. The state, in turn, has the responsibility to protect the natural rights of its citizens. Locke's concept that the government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed is a cornerstone of democratic theories and has influenced pivotal documents like the United States Declaration of Independence.
This blend of philosophical principles challenged the divine right of kings, arguing instead for a government based on the consent of the people and one that protects the natural rights of its citizens.