Montesquieu, a French philosopher of the Enlightenment, examines the relationship between laws, political institutions, and social conditions. He reasserts the concept of the separation of powers, arguing that political authority should be divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny and ensure liberty. Montesquieu’s ideas influenced the development of modern democratic systems and the framing of constitutions, including that of the United States.
The Social Contract; The Discourse on Inequality; The Discourse on Political Economy by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau, also an Enlightenment thinker, argues that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society and its institutions. In the "state of nature," people are peaceful and free, but the development of private property and complex social structures leads to inequality, competition, and moral corruption. True freedom and equality can only be achieved through a social contract that reflects the general will and promotes collective well-being, contrasting sharply with the injustices and inequalities perpetuated by existing institutions of late 18th century France.
