“Meteorological Climate Theory”

Montesquieu:

Lecturer: Chunly Serey VichetPresenter: Sakhan PhallenClass: E3.1

Western Political Thoughts (IS302)

Content:

I. BackgroundII. Forms of governmentIII. Meteorological Climate TheoryIV. Reflection towards theoryV. Conclusion

Background

Baron de Montesquieu (1689 - 1755) A French social commentator and political thinker Best known works:

Lettres Persanes – The Persian Letters (1721)L’Esprit des lois – The Spirit of the Laws (1748)

Background (Cont’)

If the laws are appropriate, if the proper “Spirit” is observed in their formulation and application, the stability of the society will be preserved.

Forms of Government

According to Montesquieu, there are three forms of government: Republican (Democracy & Aristocracy) – education must

teach to love of country. Monarchy - education should teach the paramountcy of

self- interest. Despotism – education should teach of servility.

Forms of Govt. (Cont’)

A government’s corruption, “begins with that of its principles.”

It’s important to have the proper kind of equality in a democratic republic, the

spirit of equality.

A natural aristocracy, leaders and people should have equal under the law.

In monarchy, power is demand to share among nobility, clergy, courts, cities,

and king.

For corruption of despotism is impossible because it is already corrupt.

Forms of Govt. (Cont’)

A republic requires a small territory. Larger republics are endangered by internal factions, while

republics that are too small susceptible to invasion.

How to escape from such dilemma? The establishment of a confederation. Still this theory is ingenious.

Meteorological Climate Theory

Climate, soil, economics, religion, customs, and traditions must all be considered.

According to Montesquieu, “the people of hot climates are more effeminate, weaker, less brave, more slavish, more given to pleasure than are their fellows in the cold climate.”

Montesquieu also correlates religion with political forms:Mohammedanism is associated with despotismCatholicism with monarchyProtestantism with republicanism

Meteorological Climate Th. (Cont’)

Climatic conditions are directly related to economics, occupation, customs, and traditions, and thus indirectly to constitutions.

Montesquieu says that all factors considered influence man and mold a “General Spirit” within a nation which must be taken into account by legislators and leaders.

So, the function of legislators is to discover and understand the spirit, not to change it.

Reflection toward theory

Disagree => “A republic requires a small territory.”

Agree + Disagree =>“The people of hot climates are more effeminate, weaker,

less brave, more slavish, more given to pleasure than are their fellows in the cold climates.”

Conclusion

There are three forms of government according to Montesquieu, republican, monarchy, and despotism.

All factors such as climate, soil, economics, religion, customs, and tradition influence the physiology and psychology of a people, determine their character in which institutions they live.

People of hot climate tend to be inferior to the people of cold climate.

General spirit within a nation which must be taken into account by legislators and leaders.

Q & A