Montesquieu biography filosofia africana
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For instance, Montesquieu believes that the laws of many countries can be made be more liberal and more humane, and that they can often be applied less arbitrarily, with less scope for the unpredictable and oppressive use of state power. In unusually hot countries, it might be that "the excess of heat enervates the body, and renders men so slothful and dispirited that nothing but the fear of chastisement can oblige them to perform any laborious duty: slavery is there more reconcilable to reason" (SL 15.7).
Four months later, Montesquieu departed for Vienna, determined to complete his education by foreign travel. He was greatly impressed with the English political system, and drew on his observations of it in his later work.
On his return to France in 1731, troubled by failing eyesight, Montesquieu returned to La Brède and began work on his masterpiece, The Spirit of the Laws.
The influence of this period remained with Charles Louis, showing itself in his deep attachment to the soil. The work met with an unfriendly reception from supporters of the regime in France and from the Catholic Church, which banned his works in 1751 and added it to the Index Librorum Prohibitorum (list of books prohibited by the Roman Catholic Church).
“Montesquieu” in Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800. Finally, the laws should make it as easy as possible for an innocent person to prove his or her innocence. First, those who live in fruitful countries are more apt to be content with their situation, and to value in a government not the liberty it bestows but its ability to provide them with enough security that they can get on with their farming.
Likewise, the executive power should have the right to veto acts of the legislature, and the legislature should be composed of two houses, each of which can prevent acts of the other from becoming law. Montesquieu writes that "the state of slavery is in its own nature bad" (SL 15.1); he is particularly contemptuous of religious and racist justifications for slavery.
His replacement is clearly obedient not to Usbek but to his wives: he contrives not to receive any of Usbek's letters, and when a young man is found in the seraglio he writes: "I got up, examined the matter, and found that it was a vision" (Letter 149). This is achieved through the separation of the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of government.
Montesquieu: Selected Political Writings. Usbek is particularly given to such musings, and he shares many of Montesquieu's own preoccupations: with the contrast between European and non-European societies, the advantages and disadvantages of different systems of government, the nature of political authority, and the proper role of law. These reforms would generally strengthen monarchical governments, since they enhance the freedom and dignity of citizens.
In this sense Montesquieu's most basic belief may be viewed as an attempt to state the necessity of law review. Such ideas as honor and virtue should not occur to a despot's subjects, since "persons capable of setting a value on themselves would be likely to create disturbances. His subjects are no better than slaves, and he can dispose of them as he sees fit.
Edited by John S. Waggoner.