HIS109Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Totalitarianism, Mantra, Scientific Method
Document Summary
Voltaire suggested an alternative method, one that revolutions offer as well: de montesquieu (1689-1755) was a parlament member and a noble. Montesquieu was provincial and peculiar in appearance. Attempt to redress the imbalance between monarchy and nobles. Montesquieu was elitist and believed that his class had a special responsibility to protect the nation and weaken the crown. Persian letters of 1721 was written by montesquieu and criticized the situation of france. Rationalist, devastating attack on eurocentric positions were taken and this became an important book of the enlightenment. L"esprit de lois was dependent on locke"s writings and montesquieu"s observations of england. Montesquieu saw change as necessary and will come; he dismissed supernatural powers. Decisions made by rulers and people who produce ideas are the ones who facilitate change in a nation. Constitution political/socioeconomic structure giving character to a nation. Once a constitution is established, these shapes the characters and personalities of people who live under them.
