The Declaration of 1789 and Montesquieu

Paper Summary:

This paper identifies the issues related to the Declaration of 1789 and its significance in the eyes of Montesquieu, who lived and died prior to this Declaration, yet served as a substantial influence in political philosophy. With this in mind, his perspective is discussed, including the nature of democracy and freedom for all persons.

From the Paper:

"The French Declaration of 1789 is a significant milestone for a number of reasons. Different interpretations are evident, and during the period in which this Declaration was adopted, considerable emphasis was placed on the rule of law as it influenced the French population. One interesting prospect, however, is how the philosopher Montesquieu, who lived and died prior to the time this law was established, would have evaluated the Declaration of 1789. His perspective with regard to this legal precedent is worth further examination. Montesquieu, who lived during the 15th century, was a brilliant political philosopher. He understood that law, regardless of the subject, was established due to the circumstances that were prevalent within a specific location ("Baron de Montesquieu" Para. 1)."

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