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Montesquieu's View Of Past Events During Western Civilization

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As I now have a few weeks analyzing the concept of political theory, my ideas have been challenged, and my opinions have been altered. As I gain a better understanding of past governments, I'm able to gather more educated based opinions that are benefiting me in many aspects of life. I notice myself paying more attention to current news, and relating this information to past events during Western Civilization. In this essay I intend to address some newly introduced philosophers, along with some ideas brought up in class discussions. Montesquieu mainly discusses ideas regarding a republic and establishes the concept of having separation between powers by branches. For example, the checks and balances of the United States, includes the executive, …show more content…

He also doesn’t like an economy where a few wealthy citizens hoard the money their own personal benefit. Humes' research has proved that when the public becomes more powerful by obtaining an equal distribution of wealth among society, that economic power is also benefited; which is in the best interest of the public benefit. Another idea emphasized by Hume was on page 424 where he introduces the concept of, "Good and evil, or in other words, pain and pleasure." In this statement Hume is addressing the publics motivation in society, in search of a better way of life. This statement was made in regards to the intertwining of kind affections and selfishness, and how it's rare to discover a combination of the two attributes. This also brings us back to another quote of Humes' regarding the dangers of wealthiness amongst society where he states, "…self-interest remains strong..." (pg. 424) In this quote, Hume refers to his concern of the wealthy seeking power rather than trying to benefit the people. Hume seeks happiness among the public by sharing the benefits of an ever-growing economy, by abiding to these concepts it's easy to see the possibility of his ideas becoming a …show more content…

An important concept stressed by Rousseau was that revolution was inevitable when resisting a mild reform within a country. Before Rousseau, many philosophers studied the idea of how to obtain a good life, while Rousseau focused on establishing a government for the people, by the people. But with this concept in mind, he still struggled with two major inequalities within the public which includes natural age which helps to determine the quality of mind, and the political and moral wealth, honor, and power within a community. Rousseau desires the assisting of the lower class within a government, as he came from a low-income community and has lived in this lifestyle prior to his research. With awareness of his background, it becomes easy to see why he believes in the idea of having the ability to select our own destiny. By selecting a ruler that'll help better the lives of the people, and a determined mind set, a better life in achievable. Rousseau also stresses the concept of liberty in three forms which includes natural, civil, and moral liberty. In order to grant liberty to the lowest class, we need to protect them, and keep them safe as mentioned in a quote found on page 451, which states, "No one should be able to buy another human or be forced to sell himself." Rousseau doesn't believe in slavery, or domination of the wealthy, he desires equality for all. While Rousseau proposes many wise ideas,

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