Discussing "The Spirit Of The Laws" By Montesquieu
In this episode of Canonball we discuss "The Spirit Of The Laws," which was written by Montesquieu and published in 1748. Listen to this podcast on any of several dozen podcast platforms, most of which have no ads, at this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2132180/share Get a copy of my edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein at my website: https://www.vollrathpublishing.com 00:00 Some History Of Aquitaine, The Huguenots, And Montesquieu's Life 05:36 Some General Information About On the Spirit Of The Laws 07:52 Beginning Of Passages – "A Stranger Who Intermeddled In The Assembles Of The People" 09:29 Human Society And Violence 12:29 In The Absence Of Virtue In Society, What Fills The Void? 16:03 The Effect Of Despotism On The Individual 18:03 Laws Written According To The People To Be Governed 19:55 Government, Virtue, And Music 21:49 "The Descent To Vice Is Insensible; But There Is No Reascending To Virtue Without Making The Most Generous Efforts" 23:52 "A Swarm Of Informers – Crafty Wicked Men, Who Could Stoop To Any Indignity To Serve The Purposes Of Their Ambition" 25:05 The Political Problem Of Wealth And Luxury 27:34 Women Under Despotic Governments 29:13 Despotism Desolating The Frontier For The Heart Of Empire 32:21 Why Despots Do Not Build Castles 34:22 Foreign Wars Dividing The Public 35:04 Governors Seeking To Weaken The Populace 38:10 On Taxes 40:10 Double Usury 41:04 Roman Laws, Honors, Privileges, And Penalties Encouraging Marriage And Childbearing 45:09 Trial By Combat 46:51 "My Business To Make People Read, But To Make Them Think" 47:28 Closing

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