This treatise on political theory, originally published anonymously in 1748, has become one of the most influential works of political science ever written. French philosopher Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu wrote this piece under the inspiration of such political theorists as René Descartes, Nicholas de Malebranche, and Niccolò Machiavelli. The ideas laid forth by Montesquieu in this work, especially that of balancing power among branches of government, had a prominent influence on the American Constitution, although at the time of its publication was subject to censorship. Over twenty years in the making, "The Spirit of Laws" considers a vast range of political topics including: the preservation of civil liberties, taxation, slavery, commerce, the role of women, crime and punishment, religion, education, morality and the law, and other matters of political, sociological, and anthropological importance. Undoubtedly, it has become one of the most emulated and highly-regarded treatises on political law ever written.
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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
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent review for our present members of congress and anyone with the interest to put in the time.
September 7, 2005
Format:Paperback
This is very interesting about Montesquieu. Every member of congress should read it and take it to heart. It appears that the majority of our founding fathers did read it and take it very seriously. It is something that all Americans who are interested in our government should consider reading. It is amazingly quite easy to read though, I would suggest having a good dictionary handy while reading it. Some of our members of congress I just do not believe would understand, even if someone was reading the dictionary for them. That is a sad commentary about the facts we all must face, however.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Brandon
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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- ocracy, vs. democratic republic.
Montesque had insight lacking in our political leaders today.
By E Neel
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Anthony Cole
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The book arrived in the condition advertised and in a timely manner. I would do business with this vendor again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 on May 25, 2011 by William Keith Mathison
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
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 by rontez@lasal.com
