18th Century Philosophes
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Montesquieu, Voltaire, Beccaria, and Rousseau.
The political views of Montesquieu, Voltaire, Beccaria, and Rousseau can at times differ greatly, and at others work harmoniously. For example, if we look at America’s government, we must consider Montesquieu separation of powers, Voltaire’s civil liberties, Beccaria’s concepts of crime and punishment, and Rousseau’s republic.
Montesquieu was one of few believers in ‘one size does not fit all’. Throughout history, many leaders have been arrogant, and considered their own form of government superior. However, Montesquieu would have defended any leader’s right to execute any type of political policy so long as it was successful. He would have been the first to appose America’s entrance into Vietnam.
Voltaire was a strong believer in basic civil liberties. He was famous for saying “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” He was a satirist, and a playwright.
Beccaria was perhaps the most widely read of these philosophes. “On Crimes and Punishments” was reached by Katherine the Great, Austria-Hungry, Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.1 His actual theory was that because man possesses free will, he is subject to punishment when living in society. When man chooses to live in society, as apposed to living an isolated life alone, they must surrender some basic civil liberties. His theories are explained very deeply and even address court hearings, arrests, and prevention of certain crimes. Beccaria knew that there was no innate understanding of the law, and that all citizens must know, and understand it before in order for it to be obeyed. "When the number of those who can understand the sacred code of laws and hold it in their hands increases, the frequency of crimes will be found to decrease, for undoubtedly ignorance and uncertainly of punishments add much to the eloquence of the passions"1
Because Beccaria writing had reached not only with in Europe, but as far as some of the leaders of early America, his ideas were highly influential. We must agree that in our society we poses free will, but may not urinate in public. We surrender this ‘right’ when we choose to live in society.
Rousseau started out with a belief that man was naturally good, and that society was what would case corruption. He would eventually believe that enlightenment made governments too powerful, which would destroy individual liberties.2 He then states that man is in constant competition, and is not naturally friendly. Rousseau can also be considered have some of the first ideas rooted in modern communism. He attacks private property, and holds the government’s responsibility to maintain order to higher importance than the will of the people.2
