Montesquieu (Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, 1689 to 1755) was a French jurist, historian and political philosopher whose 1748 work The Spirit of the Laws set out the modern tripartite division of governmental power into legislative, executive and judicial branches, an arrangement he argued was necessary to prevent the concentration of power and protect political liberty. His formulation drew on earlier ideas, including John Locke's distinction between legislative, executive and federative power, and it went on to shape the design of numerous constitutions, most directly the Constitution of the United States.
Facts
RoleJurist, historian and political philosopher; formulated the modern doctrine of the separation of powers into legislative and executive authority in The Spirit of the Laws (1748). 2 Nationality / Jurisdiction Place of Death Classification
Field of Law Role
Role (category) FAQs
What forms of government did Montesquieu distinguish?
He named monarchy (honor), republic (virtue) and despotism (fear).
Montesquieu identified three main forms of government, each supported by a social principle. Monarchies, which are free governments headed by a hereditary figure such as a king, queen or emperor, rely on the principle of honor. Republics, which are free governments headed by popularly elected leaders, rely on the principle of virtue. Despotisms, which are unfree and headed by despots, rely on fear. He held that the free governments depend on constitutional arrangements that establish checks and balances.
Connections
Formulated
Source Montesquieu (Wikipedia)
In Legal System
Source Wikidata: Montesquieu
In the Other Atlases
Nationality
Also in Geography Atlas: the nationality of this subject.
Source Montesquieu (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1tier 2Quote, Lead sentence 1
Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (18 January 1689 – 10 February 1755), generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French jurist, historian, and political philosopher.
Sources
1. Montesquieu (Wikipedia)
IntroductionQuote, Introduction
Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (18 January 1689 - 10 February 1755), generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French jurist, historian, and political philosopher.
2. Montesquieu (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIntroduction
Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (18 January 1689 - 10 February 1755), generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French jurist, historian, and political philosopher.
Lead paragraph - birth-year
18 January 1689
Lead paragraph - death-year
10 February 1755
Lead paragraph - nationality-jurisdiction
a French jurist, historian, and political philosopher
Body: Spirit of the Laws - role
In every state there are three kinds of power: the legislative authority, the executive authority for things that stem from the law of nations, and the executive authority for those that stem from civil law.
- In Category: Jurists, Category placement - in-category
- Formulated: Separation of Powers, Body: Spirit of the Laws - formulated-by
View the Source 3. Wikidata: Montesquieu
Wikidata Q15975, P569 date of birth claim (full date)
P569 (date of birth): 1689-01-18
Wikidata Q15975, P570 date of death claim (full date)
P570 (date of death): 1755-02-10
Wikidata Q15975, P19 place of birth claim
P19 (place of birth): Château de la Brède
Wikidata Q15975, P20 place of death claim
P20 (place of death): Paris
Wikidata Q15975, P1477 birth name claim (fr)
birth name (P1477): Charles-Louis de Secondat
- In Legal System: French Legal System, Montesquieu (Charles Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brede et de Montesquieu, 1689 to 1755) was a French jurist, historian and political philosopher whose 1748 work The Spirit of the Laws set
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.