Main Accomplishments and Failures
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Accomplishments:
In 1721 by others surprise, he published his Lettres persane(Persian Letters), in which he gave a brilliant satirical portrait of French and particularly Persian civilization. It also ridicules all social classes, makes an original if naive, contribution to the new science of demography. In addition, it continually compares Islām and Christianity and all around disrespectful, and provides ample negative criticism.(FOF, Roberts) This work's anonymity was soon penetrated, and Montesquieu became famous. The new ideas forming in Paris had received their most entertaining expression.
In 1748 with the help of Claudine Guerin de Tencin he published his most famous work, The Spirit of the Laws. Montesquieu spent nearly twenty years researching and writing The Spirit of the Laws, covering many things like the law, social life, and the study of anthropology and providing more than 3,000 commendations. In this political treatise Montesquieu pleaded in favor of a constitutional system of government, as well as the separation of power. (EBSCO, The Spirit of the Laws)
Failures:
Although Montesquieu’s work had a great effect on the development of democracy, Montesquieu himself believed that no one governmental system was superior over the others but rather that different forms were better than others in specific situations. As an early pioneer in sociology, he spent considerable time collecting data from various world cultures, which led him to the rather outlandish conclusion that climate is a major factor in determining the best form of government for a given region. Montesquieu believed that environmental conditions affect behavior and response and thus concluded that governments located in different climates should be adjusted accordingly. Even Montesquieu admitted that this idea worked better in theory than in practice. His legacy therefore lies primarily in his methods, his combination of practicality and enlightened idealism ultimately, he was a researcher all in all.(EBSCO, Robert)
In 1721 by others surprise, he published his Lettres persane(Persian Letters), in which he gave a brilliant satirical portrait of French and particularly Persian civilization. It also ridicules all social classes, makes an original if naive, contribution to the new science of demography. In addition, it continually compares Islām and Christianity and all around disrespectful, and provides ample negative criticism.(FOF, Roberts) This work's anonymity was soon penetrated, and Montesquieu became famous. The new ideas forming in Paris had received their most entertaining expression.
In 1748 with the help of Claudine Guerin de Tencin he published his most famous work, The Spirit of the Laws. Montesquieu spent nearly twenty years researching and writing The Spirit of the Laws, covering many things like the law, social life, and the study of anthropology and providing more than 3,000 commendations. In this political treatise Montesquieu pleaded in favor of a constitutional system of government, as well as the separation of power. (EBSCO, The Spirit of the Laws)
Failures:
Although Montesquieu’s work had a great effect on the development of democracy, Montesquieu himself believed that no one governmental system was superior over the others but rather that different forms were better than others in specific situations. As an early pioneer in sociology, he spent considerable time collecting data from various world cultures, which led him to the rather outlandish conclusion that climate is a major factor in determining the best form of government for a given region. Montesquieu believed that environmental conditions affect behavior and response and thus concluded that governments located in different climates should be adjusted accordingly. Even Montesquieu admitted that this idea worked better in theory than in practice. His legacy therefore lies primarily in his methods, his combination of practicality and enlightened idealism ultimately, he was a researcher all in all.(EBSCO, Robert)