"In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing."
-The Spirit of the Laws, 1748
On Man:
Montesquieu did not feel that all people were equal. He approved of slavery. He thought that women were weaker than men and had to obey their husbands. He did, however, feel that the gentler nature of women made them good decision makers and valuable participants in government.
On Society and Government:
Montesquieu argued that the best government is one in which power is balanced among three separate branches of government with equal but different powers. He felt that if one branch had all the power it would lead to greed and corruption. For this reason, he believed that a limited monarchy, such as England's at the time, could provide a country with stability and security. His ideas would become the foundation for the government of the United States.
He thought the people's role in government should be based on political virtue and equality. Citizens should put the interests of the public above their own.
On Religion:
"I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many evil wars as the kingdom of Christ" (Persian Letters, 1721)
Works Cited:
Dassier, Jacques-Antoine. Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu. Musée national du Château et des Trianons. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 1 September 2011.
"In republican governments, men are all equal; equal they are also in despotic governments: in the former, because they are everything; in the latter, because they are nothing."
-The Spirit of the Laws, 1748
On Man:
Montesquieu did not feel that all people were equal. He approved of slavery. He thought that women were weaker than men and had to obey their husbands. He did, however, feel that the gentler nature of women made them good decision makers and valuable participants in government.
On Society and Government:
Montesquieu argued that the best government is one in which power is balanced among three separate branches of government with equal but different powers. He felt that if one branch had all the power it would lead to greed and corruption. For this reason, he believed that a limited monarchy, such as England's at the time, could provide a country with stability and security. His ideas would become the foundation for the government of the United States.
He thought the people's role in government should be based on political virtue and equality. Citizens should put the interests of the public above their own.
On Religion:
"I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many evil wars as the kingdom of Christ" (Persian Letters, 1721)
Works Cited:
Dassier, Jacques-Antoine. Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu. Musée national du Château et des Trianons. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 1 September 2011.