Baron de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)

Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (18 January 1689 – 10 February 1755), generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French lawyer, man of letters, and political philosopher who lived during the Age of Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. He is also known for doing more than any other author to secure the place of the word despotism in the political lexicon.

Highlights:

• He strongly criticized absolute monarchy and was a voice for democracy.

• Separation of Powers - the best way to protect liberty was to divide the powers of government into three branches: legislative; executive; and judicial.

• Checks and Balances – each branch of government should check (limit) the power of the other two branches. Thus, power would be balanced (even) and no one branch would be too powerful.

• Montesquieu studied the history of governments and cultures all over the world.

• His first book, The Persian Letters, ridiculed the absolute monarchy and social classes in France. He also wrote The Spirit of the Laws.

• Montesquieu’s ‘separation of powers’ and ‘checks and balances’ greatly influenced James Madison and the other framers of the US Constitution. These ideas are at the core of American government to this day.

Quotes:

"The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver."

"Useless laws weaken the necessary laws."

"The sublimity of administration consists in knowing the proper degree of power that should be exerted on different occasions."

"To love to read is to exchange hours of ennui for hours of delight. I have never known any distress that an hour's reading did not relieve."