Enlightenment thinkers had a big impact on how we think about human rights. They looked into individual rights, social agreements, and how governments get their authority. Important figures, like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, came up with ideas that helped form modern democracy and the fight for human rights.

1. John Locke's Ideas:

   • In his book "Two Treatises of Government" (1689), Locke said that everyone has natural rights to life, freedom, and property.
   • He believed that the main job of the government is to protect these rights. If the government doesn't do this, people have the right to rebel. This idea is similar to what Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence when he mentioned “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as rights that cannot be taken away.
   • Studies show that Locke’s ideas helped shape more than 15 constitutions around the world, especially the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

2. Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the Social Contract:

   • Rousseau wrote an important book called "The Social Contract" (1762). In it, he explained that real government power comes from a social agreement made by free people.
   • He famously said, “Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” This means that true freedom is about matching personal desires with what is best for everyone, which affects both individual and group rights.
   • Rousseau’s ideas played a part in the French Revolution, especially in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789. This declaration talks about individual freedoms and equality, arguing that rights are a part of being human.

3. Big Picture Impact on Human Rights:

   • Enlightenment ideas helped start movements for civil rights and social justice. For example, the American and French revolutions were influenced by these thoughts and changed governments to focus on rights and equality instead of inherited power.
   • According to the United Nations, by 2023, more than 80% of national constitutions around the world include ideas from the Enlightenment. This shows how lasting these ideas are and their importance in protecting human rights.
   • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), which lists basic rights for all people, reflects ideas from Enlightenment thinkers. It emphasizes that human rights belong to everyone and cannot be taken away.

Overall, Enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Rousseau shaped how we talk about human rights. Their groundbreaking ideas still affect how we think about politics and our rights today.