Part of: Complete Works, 4 vols. (1777) Complete Works, vol. 2 The Spirit of Laws
This is volume 2 from the Complete Works. The Spirit of Laws is Montesquieu’s best known work in which he reflects on the influence of climate on society, the separation of political powers, and the need for checks on a powerful executive office.
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Key Quotes
Economics
Commerce is a cure for the most destructive prejudices; for it is almost a general rule, that whereever we find agreeable manners, there commerce flourishes; and that wherever there is commerce, there we meet with agreeable manners. Let us not be astonished, then, if our manners are now less savage…
Critical Responses
Book
Montesquieu’s Philosophy of LiberalismThomas L. Pangle
This work gives an interpretation of Montesquieu and his importance to the rise of liberalism generally.
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Soft Despotism, Democracy’s Drift Montesquieu, Rousseau, Tocqueville, and the Modern ProspectPaul Rahe
This work compares the merits of different theories of democracy beginning with Montequieu especially with regard to liberty and despotism.
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