Charles de Montesquieu
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Charles de Montesquieu, in his major work on social and political theory, The Spirit of Laws, explores, among other subjects, the impact of the physical environment, history, and social customs on the development of political institutions. This study will examine his approach, focusing on his emphasis on the establishment of the right government for the right people and culture at the right place and time. This approach sets Montesquieu apart from most political theorists who generally focus on one ideal government. Montesquieu seems at first glance to take a far less judgmental and moralistic attitude than most such theorists, accepting societies and their institutions as inevitably varied according to their particular needs. However, the deeper one delves into his writing and ideas, the clearer it becomes that he is shaped by the prevailing biases and prejudices of his own white, paternalistic culture, and that his ideas make up not a well-thought out social or political philosophy but a set of personal opinions with little of substance to support them. Montesquieu briefly examines different political systems, including, for example, monarchy and the "government of many," but dismisses the notion that there is an ideal system, aside from the most appropriate one for the particular circumstances at hand: Better is it to say, that the government conformable to nature is that which best agrees with the humour and disposition of the people in whose favour it is establishe
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ering intently through a subject and being distracted often by promising detours. Such a style of writing is often fascinating, often exasperating, and often simply absurd.
For example, Montesquieu writes that the political and civil laws
should be in relation to the climate of each country, to the quality of its soil, to its situation and extent, to the principle occupation of the natives, whether husbandmen, huntsmen, or shepherds: they should have relation to the degree of liberty which the constitution will bear; to the religion of the inhabitants, to their inclinations, riches, numbers, commerce, manners, and customs (Montesquieu 3).
What is a nation's "situation and extent"? What are a people's "inclinations" and how should they shape the political institutions? As vague and exasperating as Montesquieu can be, and often is, his ideas are nevertheless intriguing. For example, with respect to the role of music in the shaping of political institutions, Montesquieu seems to be arguing that music and institutions mutually affect one another:
That judicious writer, Polybius, informs us that music was necessary to soften the manners of the Arcadians, who lived in a cold, gloomy country; that the inhabitants of Cynete, wh
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Approximate Word count = 1478
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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