Montesquieu (1689-1755)
If the legislative and executive authorities are one institution, there will be
no freedom. There won't be freedom anyway if the judiciary body is not
separated from the legislative and executive authorities.
Montesquieu
Biography:
• Born in Bordeaux, France to a rich family
• Initial education at home
• Later, went to college and studied science and history
• Became a lawyer and stayed associated with academies of science
• Wrote “Persian letters” in 1721 which gained him fame
• Most famous book is “The spirit of laws”- ideas on how governments
should work
• Died of fever in Paris in 1755
What influenced Montesquieu’s political thought:
• Absolution in the age of Louis XIV- centralized and tightened the
control of France
• Liberty of Englishmen and working of constitutional monarchy
Montesquieu on kinds of laws
Man in state of nature- a timed creature who follows the laws of nature
with the formation of societies
If the legislative and executive authorities are one institution, there will be
no freedom. There won't be freedom anyway if the judiciary body is not
separated from the legislative and executive authorities.
Montesquieu
Biography:
• Born in Bordeaux, France to a rich family
• Initial education at home
• Later, went to college and studied science and history
• Became a lawyer and stayed associated with academies of science
• Wrote “Persian letters” in 1721 which gained him fame
• Most famous book is “The spirit of laws”- ideas on how governments
should work
• Died of fever in Paris in 1755
What influenced Montesquieu’s political thought:
• Absolution in the age of Louis XIV- centralized and tightened the
control of France
• Liberty of Englishmen and working of constitutional monarchy
Montesquieu on kinds of laws
Man in state of nature- a timed creature who follows the laws of nature
with the formation of societies
