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The Spirit of Laws is one of the most influential books of all
time. This masterpiece of political philosophy was widely read
throughout Europe, attracted an especially enthusiastic readership
in England, and had a profound effect on the framers of the
American Constitution. Montesquieu (1689-1755), already famous and
controversial through his Persian Letters, a work of his youth in
which he humorously satirized the foibles of French society, turned
in his later years to this serious treatise on the nature of law.
But though the subject itself was profound, this gravitas did not
inhibit the famous Montesquieu wit. Master of the pithy bon mot, he
managed to survey a great deal of political and philosophical
territory while keeping his readers charmed with memorable and
artfully turned phrases. "Liberty," he says, "consists in the
ability to do what one ought to desire and in not being forced to
do what one ought not to desire." Concerning the unpopularity of
the English in France, he says it is due to their arrogance, which
is such that even in peace "they seem to negotiate with none but
enemies."
The scope of this masterful work is truly prodigious. Montesquieu
explores the essentials of good government; compares and contrasts
despotism, monarchy, and democracy; and discusses the factors that
lead to corruption of governments. Among the many other topics
considered are education of the citizenry, crime and punishment,
abuse of power and of liberty, individual rights, taxation,
slavery, the role of women, the influence of climate on the temper
of a people and their form of government, commerce, religion, and a
host of additional subjects.
The Spirit of Laws is essential and genuinely enjoyable reading
for anyone interested in the development of democracy.
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Spicilege (Hardcover, 13th edition)
Charles de Secondat,Baron de Montesquieu; Edited by Rolando Minuti, Catherine Volpilhac-Auger, Pierre Rétat
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R5,001
Discovery Miles 50 010
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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The Spirit of Laws, first published in 1750, is a detailed treatise
on the structures and theory of government by French political
philosopher Baron de Montesquieu. Unlike his well-loved Persian
Letters, The Spirit of Laws scandalized the French-it was even
banned by the Roman Catholic Church. The fact that it is hardly
dated to modern readers is a testament to how revolutionary it must
have seemed 250 years ago. Among its comparisons of different forms
of governments, such as monarchies, despotic regimes, and
republics, is the now-famous section on Montesquieu's concept of
the separation of powers, dividing the ruling body into
legislative, executive, and judicial branches.Also included is the
author's thinking on slavery, religion in government, families and
censuses, the influence of climate on politics and culture, and the
making of laws. A powerful influence on the framers of the U.S.
Constitution, this classic work will appeal to history buffs and
anyone interested in the roots of modern political theory and
government.CHARLES-LOUIS DE SECONDAT, BARON DE MONTESQUIEU
(1689-1755), born in the South of France and often known simply as
Montesquieu, was a political philosopher and social commentator
known for his influential political views, especially for his
"separation of power" theory, still used today in constitutions
around the world. Some of his best-known work, the satirical
Persian Letters, which made fun of life in Paris under Louis XIV,
delighted France in the 1720s
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My Thoughts (Paperback)
Charles Louis de Secondat Montesquieu; Edited by Henry C. Clark; Translated by Henry C. Clark; Introduction by Henry C. Clark
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R423
R395
Discovery Miles 3 950
Save R28 (7%)
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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"My Thoughts" provides a unique window into the mind of one of the
undisputed pioneers of modern thought, the author of "The Spirit of
the Laws". From the publication of his first masterpiece, "Persian
Letters", in 1721, until his death in 1755, Montesquieu maintained
notebooks in which he wrote and dictated ideas on a wide variety of
topics. Some of the contents are early drafts of passages that
Montesquieu eventually placed in his published works; others are
outlines or early versions of projected works that were ultimately
lost, unfinished, or abandoned. These notebooks provide important
insights into his views on a broad range of topics, including
morality, religion, history, law, economics, finance, science, art,
and constitutional liberty. Montesquieu called these notebooks,
"Mes Pensees" (My Thoughts), and they appear in their entirety in
English for the first time in this Liberty Fund edition. Editor and
translator Henry C Clark provides readers with translations of most
of the footnotes contained in the 1991 French edition by Louis
Desgraves, while adding new notes and other aids to understanding
the text and translation. These features provide the frame for a
revealing portrait of one of the most influential figures of the
eighteenth century.
A classic work of the European Enlightenment--and one of the most
popular, if scandalous, in its day--the Persian Letters captures,
in an engaging epistolary format, the transformational spirit of
the era. Amid an ongoing tale rife with sex, violence, and wit, the
work addresses a diverse range of topics from human nature and the
origins of society, to the nature and role of religious belief, the
role of women, statecraft, justice, morality, and human identity.
With skill and artistry, Raymond MacKenzie's stunning new
translation accurately reflects the mood and character of the work.
In his richly conceived Introduction, MacKenzie seamlessly weaves
together an overview of the period with details of Montesquieu's
life, including the influences that inspired the Persian Letters ,
the character and power of the book, and its reception. This
edition also includes a Calendar of the Persian Letters , a
Bibliography of Works in English, and a Bibliography of Works in
French. Related texts provide insight into the legacy of the
Persian Letters . They include selections from works by George
Lyttelton, Voltaire, Oliver Goldsmith, and Maria Edgeworth.
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My Thoughts (Hardcover)
Charles Louis de Secondat Montesquieu; Edited by Henry C. Clark; Translated by Henry C. Clark; Introduction by Henry C. Clark
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R788
R714
Discovery Miles 7 140
Save R74 (9%)
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Ships in 12 - 17 working days
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"My Thoughts" provides a unique window into the mind of one of the
undisputed pioneers of modern thought, the author of "The Spirit of
the Laws". From the publication of his first masterpiece, "Persian
Letters", in 1721, until his death in 1755, Montesquieu maintained
notebooks in which he wrote and dictated ideas on a wide variety of
topics. Some of the contents are early drafts of passages that
Montesquieu eventually placed in his published works; others are
outlines or early versions of projected works that were ultimately
lost, unfinished, or abandoned. These notebooks provide important
insights into his views on a broad range of topics, including
morality, religion, history, law, economics, finance, science, art,
and constitutional liberty. Montesquieu called these notebooks,
"Mes Pensees" (My Thoughts), and they appear in their entirety in
English for the first time in this Liberty Fund edition. Editor and
translator Henry C Clark provides readers with translations of most
of the footnotes contained in the 1991 French edition by Louis
Desgraves, while adding new notes and other aids to understanding
the text and translation. These features provide the frame for a
revealing portrait of one of the most influential figures of the
eighteenth century.
The essential political writings of Montesquieu--a substantial
abridgment of The Spirit of the Laws, plus judicious selections
from The Persian Letters and Considerations of the Romans'
Greatness and Decline --are masterfully translated by Melvin
Richter. Prefaced by a new fifty-page introduction by Richter for
this revised edition, The Selected Political Writings displays the
genius and virtuosity of Montesquieu the philosopher, social
critic, political theorist, and literary stylist, whose work
commands the attention of all students of the Enlightenment and of
modern constitutional thought.
A classic work of the European Enlightenment--and one of the most
popular, if scandalous, in its day--the Persian Letters captures,
in an engaging epistolary format, the transformational spirit of
the era. Amid an ongoing tale rife with sex, violence, and wit, the
work addresses a diverse range of topics from human nature and the
origins of society, to the nature and role of religious belief, the
role of women, statecraft, justice, morality, and human identity.
With skill and artistry, Raymond MacKenzie's stunning new
translation accurately reflects the mood and character of the work.
In his richly conceived Introduction, MacKenzie seamlessly weaves
together an overview of the period with details of Montesquieu's
life, including the influences that inspired the Persian Letters ,
the character and power of the book, and its reception. This
edition also includes a Calendar of the Persian Letters , a
Bibliography of Works in English, and a Bibliography of Works in
French. Related texts provide insight into the legacy of the
Persian Letters . They include selections from works by George
Lyttelton, Voltaire, Oliver Goldsmith, and Maria Edgeworth.
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Persische Briefe (Hardcover)
Redaktion Gröls-Verlag; Charles de Secondat Montesquieu
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R956
Discovery Miles 9 560
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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