The excerpt suggests that the New Monarchies affected European political structures in which of the following ways?

The emergence of New Monarchies signaled a sweeping transformation in European governance and statecraft. Monarchs consolidated power by centralizing administrative structures and reducing the influence of feudal lords. This political evolution was fueled by economic advances and the increased vulnerability of traditional institutions. The consolidation of power in the hands of the sovereign enabled a more aggressive approach to exploration and expansion. As European powers ventured into new territories, the interplay between centralized authority and commercial ambition became increasingly evident. These developments not only redrew the political map of Europe, but also set the stage for its global enterprises.

• Robert Darnton, New Monarchies and Global Expansion, 2003