Question

What did enlightenment thinkers believe that contributed to changes in relationships between citizens and governments

Answer 1

Answer:    Governments are instituted to protect citizens’ rights.

Explanation:  Enlightenment thinkers argued that the government was in the service of the citizen, and as such obliged to protect the natural rights of the people. This entailed a so-called social contract guaranteeing the natural rights of the people and a protective attitude towards the citizens, but also the duty of the citizens to support the government in their efforts to secure those rights. This also meant that the government would be replaceable if it did not protect the interests of the citizens until moral authority was secured that would legitimately protect the citizens, which again meant that the government had to be changed as many times as necessary, the danger would be present if this were not done.

Answer 2

The enlightenment thinkers contributed to changes in relationships between citizens and their government through their belief of governments are instituted to protect citizens rights.