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How did Montesquieu contrast despotism with constitutional government?
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Frescoed throne room, palace of King Minos at Knossos, Crete, c. 1700–1400 bce.
In his seminal work, The Spirit of Laws (1748), the French political philosopher Montesquieu classified governments based on their manner of conducting policy rather than the mere location of power. He fundamentally contrasted despotism with other forms of government, such as monarchy and republics, by their animating principles and their relationship to law and liberty.123
- Despotism: Montesquieu defined despotism as a regime in which a single person governs by their own will and caprice, with the system animated by the principle of fear. He viewed despotism as intrinsically evil, as it lacks the legal constraints necessary to protect human dignity.132
- Constitutional/Law-Based Government: In contrast, he described monarchy as a system where a single person governs according to fixed and established laws, animated by the principle of honour. To safeguard liberty, he advocated for the separation of powers, where legislative, executive, and judicial functions are confided to independent bodies.341
By requiring the sanction of separate branches, this constitutional structure prevents the arbitrary excesses characteristic of despotic rule, thereby effectively promoting individual liberty.41