Montesquieu's Liberalism and the Problem of Universal Politics

Montesquieu's liberalism and critique of universalism in politics, often thought to stand in tension, comprise a coherent philosophical and political project.

Keegan Callanan (Author)

9781108428170, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 August 2018

312 pages
23.5 x 16 x 2.2 cm, 0.58 kg

'This is a first-rate book, and anyone interested in Montesquieu or Enlightenment liberalism more generally should buy it immediately … one of the very best books on Montesquieu yet published.' History of Political Thought

Dubbed 'the oracle' by no less an authority than James Madison, Montesquieu stands as a theoretical founder of the liberal political tradition. But equally central to his project was his account of the relationship of law to each nation's particular customs and place, a teaching that militates against universal political solutions. This teaching has sometimes been thought to stand in tension with his liberal constitutionalism. In this book, Keegan Callanan argues that Montesquieu's political particularism and liberalism are complementary and mutually reinforcing parts of a coherent whole. In developing this argument, Callanan considers Montesquieu's regime pluralism, psychological conception of liberty, approach to political reform, and account of 'the customs of a free people', including the complex interaction of religion and commerce. Callanan concludes that, by re-orienting our understanding of liberalism and redirecting our attention toward liberty's distinctive preconditions, a return to Montesquieu's political philosophy leaves us better prepared to confront liberal democracy's contested claim to universality.

1. Montesquieu and classical particularism
2. Montesquieu and humanist constitutionalism
3. Regime pluralism
4. Understanding liberal culture
5. Religion, secularism, and liberal society
6. 'The spirit of tolerance and gentleness'
7. Political change and the psychology of liberty
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Politics & government [JP], Social & political philosophy [HPS], Philosophy [HP]