Answer:
Political thought has progressed through several major stages in modern history, including absolutism, the Enlightenment, and the French Revolution. Absolutism was a form of government in which the ruler had complete and unchecked power. Absolutist rulers believed that their authority came from God and was therefore absolute and not subject to any limitations. This form of government was prevalent in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Enlightenment was a period of intellectual and philosophical awakening that took place in Europe during the 18th century. It was characterized by a focus on reason, individual rights, and the natural laws that govern the world. Enlightenment thinkers believed that people should be free to think and speak as they pleased, and that governments should be limited in their power in order to protect the rights of the people.