The enlightenment was a time where people realized all of their ideas mattered and everyone could think and create for themselves. The government should be about the people, and what they want and need, while of course keeping boundaries and being civil. The Declaration of Independence and the Social Contract Theory both touch on that concept. The Declaration of Independence has to do with freedom, the colonists breaking their chains away from Great Britain and realizing they can succeed on their own without the help from outside forces. They can think for themselves and do not need to be under constant rule, they can be free in what they do, with of course laws and boundaries set by the government. The Social Contract Theory also has to do with this, as it talks about how society can thrive together as a whole, if people keep certain morals and manners, while being free to do what they wish.
