Single Idea 20006

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 1. Slavery]

Full Idea

The demand for slavery is the demand for luxury and voluptuousness; it has nothing to do with concern for public felicity.

Gist of Idea

The demand for slavery is just the masters' demand for luxury

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 15.09)

Book Reference

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.206


A Reaction

True monarchists and aristocratic elitists presumably think that a society should have one part which lives in great luxury. Where else are the fine arts and wonderful buildings going to come from?