This volume studies a fundamental element of Montesquieu's argumentative architecture that is most apparent in his De l'Esprit des Lois: the problem of giving order to, and establishing a network of consistent explanations of political, social and cultural diversity. Following a thorough and careful analysis of his writings, the volume approaches this subject by observing the use of the information sources available to Montesquieu, the relationships between them, and the judgments he expresses. The book examines some of Montesquieu's essential theoretical contributions, such as the idea of despotism, and the connection between politics, society and religion, on the basis of his reflections on the variety of mainly non-European societies and cultures. It demonstrates a number of possible inconsistencies and unresolved questions in Montesquieu's argumentation. One of the main subjects of the book is the consideration of geographical context as an essential element for elaborating uniform criteria of political analysis. The book collects contributions concerning Montesquieu's reflections on China, Tartary, Japan, India, America, Russia, and the Islamic world, and, building on this earlier research, it shows the importance of Montesquieu's thought and explains the reason for his longstanding influence.

Autorentext

Rolando Minuti is professor of Modern History at the University of Florence. His main research area is the European intellectual history of the  XVIIIth century: historiography, orientalism, the work of Montesquieu and other leading members of Enlightenment culture. Several of his main publications are: Oriente barbarico e storiografia settecentesca (Venezia, Marsilio, 1994), Orientalismo e idee di tolleranza nella cultura francese del primo '700 (Firenze, Olschki, 2006), Montesquieu. Spicilège (edité par R. Minuti, et annoté par S. Rotta, Oxford, The Voltaire Foundation, 2002).

Inhalt

1. The Natural Environment, Society and Government.- 2. Japan and the Tyranny of Legislation.- 3. The Image of Russia.- 4. The most singular People on Earth.- 5. India in the Work of Montesquieu.- 6. Montesquieu's America.- 7. After the Esprit des Lois: Montesquieu and Travel Literature.- 8. Montesquieu and the History of Intolerance.- 9. Montesquieu and Islam: an overview.