Why was montesquieu influential

Montesquieu lived from to during the European Age of Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, a cultural movement during the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized rationality and individualism. Montesquieu's most famous work was The Spirit of the Laws, the work of political philosophy from which his most influential ideas were drawn. Montesquieu's oft-cited contribution to political discourse is his theory on the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches, which became the bedrock of the U.

Constitution and the way the founders envisioned a plan that would divide and thus balance the powers of the new government. Montesquieu based his thinking on the republican government of the ancient Romans and on the parliamentary monarchy of Britain at the time.

These governments, he argued, prevented the concentration of power in one person's hands and the infringement upon individual liberties that come with dictatorial governments. The groups should then debate the topic from the point of view of the philosopher they are role playing. Follow the same procedure for the rest of the topics. After all the debates are finished, class members should discuss which one of the four philosophers they agree with the most and why.

The best form of government is a representative democracy. Only the president should have the power to declare war. A good way to make laws is for all the people to directly vote on them. Religion should be a part of the government. Wikipedia: Thomas Hobbes. Wikipedia: Leviathan. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Thomas Hobbes. Malaspina Great Books: Thomas Hobbes.

SparkNotes: Leviathan A study guide to the book. Yahoo Directory: Thomas Hobbes. Google Directory: Thomas Hobbes. Open Directory Project: Thomas Hobbes. Wikipedia: John Locke. Bluplete Biography: John Locke. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: John Locke.

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: John Locke. Wikipedia: Two Treatises of Government. Second Treatise of Civil Government Text of the book. Malaspina Great Books: John Locke. Yahoo Directory: John Locke. Google Directory: John Locke. Open Directory Project: John Locke. Wikipedia: Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The Social Contract The text of the book. Yahoo Directory: Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Google Directory: Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Wikipedia: Montesquieu. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Montesquieu.

Catholic Encyclopedia: Montesquieu. The Spirit of the Laws The text of the book. Malaspina Great Books: Montesquieu. Yahoo Directory: Baron de Montesquieu. Google Directory: Montesquieu.

Open Directory Project: Montesquieu. Alumni Volunteers The Boardroom Alumni. Curriculum Materials. Add Event. Main Menu Home. Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau on Government Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau on Government Starting in the s, European philosophers began debating the question of who should govern a nation. Rousseau: The Extreme Democrat Jean-Jacques Rousseau — was born in Geneva, Switzerland, where all adult male citizens could vote for a representative government.

The novel displays a highly original play with perspectives, oscillating between the Orient and Europe, and commenting both on Persia and France through the various characters and their backgrounds. The fragments contain the beginning, an inserted story, and the closure of the book. Lettres persanes. Julia V.