Two concepts of virtue : concepts of virtue in Montesquieu’s theory of democratic government in The Spirit of the Laws

Montesquieu’s concern about virtue is almost universally acknowledged, but not very well understood. The concept of virtue in The Spirit of the Laws is as significant in implications as it is mystifying in meaning; it is both a feeling and a constraint. This thesis aims to understand what Montesquieu means with his idea of virtue and why this discussion matters. Specifically, it investigates Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws and the relevant literature on the arrangements and developments of virtue in the democratic government. This thesis looks at Montesquieu’s governance, including his intention, method and the central concepts of the author’s theory. To its comprehensive aim, it studies the structures of the democratic republican government, as well as the features of virtue. The results show their improbable goals, their immoderate effects and their incapability to assure individual security and liberty. Based on this thesis’ findings, this study concludes that by the establishment of extreme solutions, the democratic government depends on a motivational force which endangers the survival of the regime, in which political virtue is devised by a love and constraint that enforces itself to its corruption. Virtue is not a feasible solution to assure good governance and to regulate men’s relations with each other, precisely in the government’s concern about men’s desire of domination over others. On this basis, a different constitutional foundation grounded in moderation is proposed. It combines individual free human agency and one’s natural passions while conceding controlling features; finally, tranquillity is achieved