Montesquieu (1689-1755) & Denis Diderot (1713-1784):

• Persian Letters (1721): Attacked traditional religion/intolerance
  Attacked slavery/promoted use of reason to defeat prejudice
• Spirit of Laws (1748): separation of powers (inspired by England)
• Diderot: Encyclopedia (used by philosophes to attack society)

Voltaire (1694-1778):

• Advocated press, religious, political freedoms
• Treatise on Toleration (1763):
  Religious toleration caused no problems
• Religious belief: Deism (God created universe/then uninvolved)
• "I do not agree with a word you say but will defend to the death your right to say it."

Physiocrats/Adam Smith: Founders of Modern Economics

• Adam Smith (1723-90): The Wealth of Nations
• Anti-Mercantilist: abolish tariffs (free trade)
  
• Goverment Roles:
  Protection of country/citizens (army/police)
  Public works (infrastructure)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778):

• Government a necessary evil
• The Social Contract (1762):
  Harmony of liberty/government authority
• Societal agreement to be governed by general will
• Individuals forced to follow what's best for all