World History Chapter 17 Section 2

enlightened despotism

system of government in which absolute monarchs ruled according to the principles of the Enlightenment

natural law

the assertion that standards that govern human behavior are derived from the nature of humans themselves and can be universally applied

rationalism

the theological doctrine that human reason rather than divine revelation establishes religious truth

philosophes

A group of French intellectuals who proclaimed that they were bringing the light of knowledge to their fellow creatures in the Age of Enlightenment

Mary Wollstonecraft

English writer and early feminist who denied male supremacy and advocated equal education for women

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

French philosophe who published The Social Contract in 1762; introduced the concept of the social contract between individuals and government

Montesquieu

French political philosopher who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial powers (1689-1755)

Voltaire

French writer who was the embodiment of 18th century Enlightenment (1694-1778), French, perhaps greatest Enlightenment thinker. Deist. Mixed glorification and reason with an appeal for better individuals and institutions. Wrote Candide. Believed enlightened despot best form of government.

Adam Smith

Scottish economist who advocated private enterprise and free trade (1723-1790)

popular sovereignty

The concept that political power rests with the people who can create, alter, and abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation in government

free enterprise

an economy that relies chiefly on market forces to allocate goods and resources and to determine prices

salon

informal social gatherings at which writers, artists, philosophes, and others exchanged ideas

laissez-faire

policy based on the idea that government should play as small a role as possible in the economy