Publisher's Synopsis
The Spirit of Laws is a treatise on political theory and jurisprudence written by Baron Charles de Secondat, also known as Montesquieu, in 1748. The book is divided into 31 books and covers a wide range of topics including the separation of powers, the rule of law, the nature of government, and the role of religion in politics.Montesquieu's central thesis is that the best form of government is one that balances power between different branches or classes of society. He argues that this balance is essential to prevent tyranny and ensure the protection of individual rights and liberties. He also emphasizes the importance of a free press, an independent judiciary, and a strong civil society in maintaining this balance.Throughout the book, Montesquieu draws on examples from history and different cultures to illustrate his points. He cites the government of England as an example of a successful system of checks and balances, and contrasts it with the absolutist monarchies of France and Spain.The Spirit of Laws was a groundbreaking work in its time and had a significant impact on political thought and the development of modern democracy. It continues to be studied and debated by scholars and politicians today.Of Luxury. Luxury is ever in proportion to the inequality of fortunes. If the riches of a state are equally divided there will be no luxury; for it is founded merely on the conveniences acquired by the labour of others.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
