Quote:
Originally Posted by sajidnuml
the question Why Montesquieu is called Aristotle of 18th century has a simple answer. Aristotle was a constitutionalists saw security only in constitutional government in which community would determine the ends to be pursued but only the experts would select and apply means.
In the same way Montesquieu Presented his theory of separation of powers that legislature, judiciary and executive should work separately without one indulging in the affairs of other. And this separation should be constitutional. Impressed from English freedom and government system Montesquieu was weary of the role of Lord Chancellor who performed many roles: as head of judiciary as well as member of cabinet and as a presiding officer of House of Lords. In this backdrop He discovered this theory which culminated in American constitution.
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Sorry I have omitted few points that why Montesquieu is called the Aristotle of 18th century. here they go added to above
Montesquieu employed deductive, historical, analytical, and comparative methods like Aristotle did. He maintained that physical conditions such as environment do affect and influence political and social institutions of a society.
And that constitution is a way of life and any change in Constitution would alter the way and character of a society. Contradicting it like Aristotle did, he maintains that laws and institutions keeps on changing and the cause of changes he attributed to changing physical condition.
to put it simply Aristotle adopted deductive methods his all philosophy is deduced from Plato's Republic. 2ndly He collected 158 constitutions to make comparative studies. Similarly he studied history to support his points. Montesquieu closely followed Aristotle in his political thought.