Locke and Montesquieu: Political Philosophy & Separation of Powers
Locke’s Political Philosophy
In 1688, during the Glorious Revolution in England, John Locke presented his political philosophy, which became the foundation for parliamentary supremacy over monarchical absolutism. His Two Treatises on Civil Government outlines his liberal ideas.
Locke, like Hobbes, distinguished between the natural state of man and his status in society. He believed humans are free and equal in their natural state. Unlike Hobbes, Locke thought that in their natural state, humans lived in mutual cooperation for the conservation and improvement of life. However, due to greed and selfishness, abuses occurred, leading to a covenant or contract to create a social state that protects individual freedom and property.
For Locke, this contract involved the delegation of power to representatives, not the surrender of sovereignty to a monarch. The legislature establishes laws, and the executive branch rules according to those laws. Locke stressed that the legislature and executive should not be held by the same people to ensure an equilibrium and prevent arbitrary use of political power, serving the common good. Citizens delegate their natural sovereignty to representatives for this purpose.
If rulers violate the pact, citizens have the right to depose the government. For Locke, liberty and peace are primary objectives, but freedom should not be sacrificed for peace.
Montesquieu’s Theory of Government
Montesquieu, in his book The Spirit of the Laws, presented a political theory against the absolutism of the French King Louis XVI. He aimed to eliminate political opposition from the nobility.
Montesquieu’s great contribution is the concept of the separation of state powers, allocating functions to the executive (kings and judges), the legislature (representatives), and the judiciary (courts).
His political philosophy focuses on the effective exercise of power and the principles governing government. His theory is practical, not moralizing, and does not justify arbitrary political power.
The traditional classification of power included monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy.
For Montesquieu, the differentiation of government forms depends on whether power is exercised according to established laws or outside of them. Economic, social, and demographic factors also influence government forms.
Forms of Government:
- Republic: Follows the principle of equality and virtue. It can be democratic or aristocratic.
- Monarchy: Exercised by one person, governed by the principle of honor.
- Despotism: Governed by the principle of fear.