Essential Enlightenment: Montesquieu

Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brede et de Montesquieu—better known simply as Montesquieu—was a French nobleman, judge, novelist, and also a decisive figure in the early years of the Enlightenment, whose impact can still be seen in Western democracies around the world. One of Montesquieu’s most lasting legacies is the idea of separating powers within government among different branches: legislative, executive and judiciary. He was also a firm believer in the power of commerce and markets, and was one of the first to realize the moral benefits of trade, ideas that influenced Adam Smith and David Hume, considered the founders of economics. Watch this video to learn more, and visit .