The Age of Enlightenment:

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