Enlightenment Political Philosophy

An Enlightenment Political Philosophy is a political philosophy that emphasizes rational governance, individual rights, and constitutional constraints on political power.

• AKA: Enlightenment Political Thought, Age of Reason Political Philosophy, 18th Century Liberal Philosophy.
• Context:
  • It can typically advocate for Limited Government Systems through constitutional principles.
  • It can typically promote Separation of Powers Principle via institutional checks.
  • It can often support Individual Natural Rights Theory through rational arguments.
  • It can often critique Absolute Monarchy Systems through philosophical reasoning.
  • It can range from being a Moderate Enlightenment Political Philosophy to being a Radical Enlightenment Political Philosophy, depending on its reform scope.
  • It can range from being a Lockean Enlightenment Political Philosophy to being a Kantian Enlightenment Political Philosophy, depending on its theoretical foundation.
  • It can range from being a Republican Enlightenment Political Philosophy to being a Liberal Enlightenment Political Philosophy, depending on its governance emphasis.
  • It can range from being a National Enlightenment Political Philosophy to being a Cosmopolitan Enlightenment Political Philosophy, depending on its political scope.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Major Enlightenment Political Philosophy Variants, such as:
    • Lockean Limited Government Theory for constitutional monarchy.
    • Montesquieu's Separation of Powers Theory for balanced government.
    • Rousseauian Social Contract Theory for popular sovereignty.
    • Kantian Republican Peace Theory for international order.
    • Smithian Political Economy Theory for commercial society.
  • Regional Enlightenment Political Philosophy Schools, such as:
    • Scottish Enlightenment Political Philosophy emphasizing commercial virtues.
    • French Enlightenment Political Philosophy emphasizing rational reform.
    • American Enlightenment Political Philosophy emphasizing practical republicanism.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Counter-Enlightenment Philosophy, which rejects universal reason.
  • Dark Enlightenment Movement, which opposes democratic principles.
  • Absolutist Political Philosophy, which denies constitutional constraints.
• See: Age of Enlightenment, Political Philosophy, Liberal Democracy, Constitutional Republic System, Separation of Powers Principle, Social Contract Model, Natural Rights Theory, Rule-of-Law Principle.

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