According to Enlightenment thinkers, which of the following would be the best way for a government to maintain legitimacy? O By passing popular laws
O By providing for regular elections.
O By allowing all citizens to run for office and vote.
O By seeking the participation and consent of the governed

By seeking the participation and consent of the governed

Explanation:

According to Enlightenment thinkers, such as John Locke, Charles Montesquieu, Thomas Hobbes, etc, what would be the best way for a government to maintain legitimacy is "by seeking the participation and consent of the governed."

In other words, they all express the needs of different forms of democracy. These types of democracy will make common people or citizens' wish to be represented during decision making. It will also guide against possible civil revolution or massive protest

During this time period, the federal government was relatively weak. Moreover, the Gilded Age was a period in which social assistance was not common, and it did not have the support it had in later years.

Most social assistance was provided by religious institutions due to a change in ideology called the "Third Great Awakening," in which religious attitudes became more progressive. This allowed institutions such as the YMCA, the Salvation Army and Hull House to be established. The federal government implemented programs such as emergency relief programs, work relief programs, and agricultural programs.

These programs were moderately successful. However, their main contribution was influencing politics, which led to the Populist Party and eventually the Progressive movement.