The Spirit of the Laws is without question one of the central texts in the history of eighteenth-century thought, yet there has been no complete scholarly English language edition since 1750. This lucid translation renders Montesquieu's problematic text newly accessible to a fresh generation of students, helping them to understand why Montesquieu was such an important figure in the early enlightenment and why The Spirit of the Laws was such an influence on those who framed the American Constitution. Fully annotated, this edition focuses on Montesquieu's use of sources and his text as a whole, rather than on those opening passages toward which critical energies have traditionally been devoted.
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Language Notes
Text: English, French (translation)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
BARON DE MONTESQUIEU (1689-1755) was a French jurist, satirist, and political and social philosopher during the Enlightenment. His most well-known work, The Spirit of Laws, profoundly influenced European and American political thought and was relied on by the framers of the US Constitution.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By entropier
Format:Paperback
There are mainly two reasons why Montequieu's book is important. One is for his ideas, which still have relevance for current political issues, such as separation of church and state. The second is that it represents an important historical milestone in political thought. The real bonus is that, in the translation, his work reads in a way that is both intellectually engaging, by which I mean he gets you thinking about the issues, and also engaging (if entertaining is not quite the right word) as a series of philosophical perspectives delivered in a direct way generally free of jargon.
The most interesting part of his book for me was at the outset, in his comparison of despotism, republics and democracy.
The really important aspect of his book is that so many of the threshold policitical issues that he discusses are still live issues. How much should the state intervene? What constitutes good laws? What parts of life in a political society are the business of the state?
The most interesting part of his book for me was at the outset, in his comparison of despotism, republics and democracy.
The really important aspect of his book is that so many of the threshold policitical issues that he discusses are still live issues. How much should the state intervene? What constitutes good laws? What parts of life in a political society are the business of the state?
26 of 32 people found the following review helpful
By "knudy"
Format:Paperback
an understanding of Montesquieu is critical for today's emerging democracies, in that he was one of the first to recognize the importance of securing the liberty of the governed with the aid of reason, such as by constitutional design and by the rule of law. The probelm is that there is a caveat to his theory: democracy may not be the best form of government for every country.
26 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Our founding fathers studied Montesquieu's writings of pure democracy and rejected that form of government for our constitution. This book should be read by every student in high school,so they might have a comparison to U.S. Constitution vs other forms of ancient gov- ernments. Our founders were nothing less than brillant to invent a democratic republic;whereby allowing the citizens to rule, but not as a mob.
Ron Steele Moab Utah
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Read
If anyone wants to know America, they NEED to read this book.
If anyone is to run for political office in America they SHOULD have read this book.
If anyone is to run for political office in America they SHOULD have read this book.
Published 5 months ago by E Neel
5.0 out of 5 stars
It should be required reading.
Of 15000 writings identified as the founding documents for America there are 3154 direct quotes(See book "The Origins of American Constitutionalizm"). Read more
Published 24 months ago by William Keith Mathison
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent work
Excellent work. Anyone with a deep interest in politics and the history of govt who wishes to broaden their understanding would thoroughly enjoy this book.
Published on July 24, 2010 by Brandon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Transaction
The book arrived in the condition advertised and in a timely manner. I would do business with this vendor again.
Published on July 5, 2010 by Anthony Cole
4.0 out of 5 stars
Iran
This is a good book which gives you first hand impression about how laws are design by authority.
Published on March 27, 2006 by Peyman ADLDOUSTI
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent review for our present members of congress and anyone with...
This is very interesting about Montesquieu. Every member of congress should read it and take it to heart. Read more
Published on September 7, 2005 by David C. Smissonsr MD
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not the great book people seem to think it is.
This is a book that could (should?) have faded into history without being a great loss to the world. Read more
Published on December 19, 2004 by ascetic
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the other reviewers think
The Spirit of Laws is a passionate and eloquent statement of liberalism. But it is only that: a statement. It is not a defence. Read more
Published on August 29, 2001 by Simon Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars
In governments, their is nothing new under the sun.
This should be required reading for every high school student in America.
How does one understand the brilliance of our founding fathers and why they rejected total dem-... Read more
Published on December 27, 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
In governments, their is nothing new under the sun.
This should be required reading for every high school student in America.
How does one understand the brilliance of our founding fathers and why they rejected total dem-... Read more
Published on December 27, 1998 by rontez@lasal.com
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 52
books:
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100
books
cite this book:
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- Persian Letters by Charles Louis Baron de Montesquieu on 6 pages
- Persian Letters (Penguin Classics) by Charles-Louis de Secondat Montesquieu on 6 pages
- The Persian Wars (Modern Library College Editions) by Herodotus on page 365, page 375, and Back Matter
- The Civil Wars (Penguin Classics) by Appian on page 203, page 424, and Back Matter
- The Present State of the Ottoman Empire (Eastern Europe Collection Series) by Paul Rycaut on page 28, page 61, and Back Matter
See all 52 books this book cites
- The State and the Rule of Law by Blandine Kriegel on 9 pages
- Journeys to the Other Shore: Muslim and Western Travelers in Search of Knowledge (Princeton Studies in Muslim Politics) by Roxanne L. Euben on 8 pages
- The Constitution of Liberty by Friedrich A. Hayek on 8 pages
- Man, the State, and War: A Theoretical Analysis by Kenneth N. Waltz on 7 pages
- Enlightenment against Empire by Sankar Muthu on 6 pages
See all 100 books citing this book
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