The Enlightenment profoundly impacted modern democratic principles by promoting rational thought, individual rights, and the idea of government accountability. Thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu emphasized liberty and the separation of powers, influencing the structures of contemporary democracies. Enlightenment ideals underpinned revolutionary movements, notably the American and French Revolutions, advocating for popular sovereignty and human rights. This intellectual movement encouraged a critical examination of traditional authority, fostering the belief that legitimate governance must be derived from the consent of the governed, thereby laying the groundwork for modern democratic governance.