Moderation and the Problem of Tyranny in Modern Republic: Montesquieu
Keywords:
Moderation, Tyranny, Montesquieu, Modern RepublicAbstract
The issue of tyranny and moderation has been a persistent theme in political philosophy. For classical political philosophers, tyranny arises when moderation is violated, leading to partial or unjust applications of justice. This article mainly aims to study Montesquieu’s political philosophy through his most popular book, The Spirit of the Laws. It argues that Montesquieu revived the concept of "moderation” to address the tyranny inherent in social contract theories. Montesquieu contended that some extreme maxims of social contract theorists’ philosophical doctrine result in degeneration and tyranny. The core problem with social contract theories lies in their abstract or purely theoretical foundations. Montesquieu proposed that an understanding of the "nature of things" and the "spirit of the laws" is essential for designing a suitable form of government. While he did not advocate for a specific form of government, he presented a model of moderate government for the modern republic, drawing from the Constitution of England, emphasizing the separation of powers and checks and balances to prevent the abuse of authority. Also, the English "commercial republic" is grounded on the realistic idea of human nature, allowing individuals to pursue wealth and status while ensuring political freedom within a well-structured government. Within the framework of the English commercial modern republic, the regulation of individual desires is conceived not as a suppression of state liberty but as a rational calibration aimed at preserving the common good. Such a polity aspires to reconcile the tension between personal autonomy and collective stability by instituting a non-extremist, well-ordered form of government that safeguards both political and economic freedoms.
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