Name two Enlightenment philosophes who critiqued absolute monarchy and promoted constitutional limits on power.

• A. Hobbes and Locke.
• B. Rousseau and Voltaire.
• C. Diderot and Kant.
• D. Montesquieu and Voltaire.

Answer: (D)

Enlightenment thinkers challenged absolute monarchy by arguing that power should be limited and regulated by law and by structured institutions. Montesquieu contributes the strong case for constitutional limits through the separation of powers—dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches so no single body can dominate. This separation creates checks and balances that protect liberty and prevent tyranny. Voltaire adds the crucial dimension of civil liberties and critique of arbitrary rule, advocating for freedom of expression, religious toleration, and governance guided by reason and law. His stance supports the idea that rulers must operate within constitutional constraints rather than wield unchecked authority. Together, they embody the movement toward constitutional limits on power, which is why this pairing is the best fit.

Other options pair thinkers whose ideas either favored strong centralized authority or focused on different political questions, not the clear combination of institutional checks and reinforced rights that Montesquieu and Voltaire provide.