What is the challenged the idea of the divine right of kings?

The idea of the divine right of kings, which posited that monarchs derive their authority directly from God, was challenged during the Enlightenment by thinkers such as john Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. They argued for the principles of natural rights and social contracts, asserting that government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed rather than divine decree. This shift in thinking laid the groundwork for modern democratic ideals, emphasizing individual rights and the accountability of rulers to their subjects. The challenge to this doctrine contributed to the rise of constitutionalism and the decline of absolute monarchy in Europe.