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Single Idea 19976
[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy
]
Full Idea
In a republic ambition is pernicious, but in a monarchy it has a good effect; it gives life to that type of government. Its advantage lies in that it is not dangerous, because a monarchy can continue to restrain it.
Gist of Idea
Ambition is good in a monarchy, because the monarch can always restrain it
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 03.07)
Book Ref
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.130
A Reaction
That is sometimes offered as a defence of the very weak British monarchy.
The
21 ideas
with the same theme
[hereditary or elected lifetime leader]:
8240
|
A true king shares his pleasure with the people
[Mengzi (Mencius)]
|
22541
|
Kings should be selected according to character
[Aristotle]
|
19936
|
Kings tend to fight wars for glory, rather than for peace and liberty
[Spinoza]
|
19937
|
Monarchs are always proud, and can't back down
[Spinoza]
|
19940
|
Deposing a monarch is dangerous, because the people are used to royal authority
[Spinoza]
|
19885
|
Absolute monarchy is inconsistent with civil society
[Locke]
|
19972
|
The nobility are an indispensable part of a monarchy
[Montesquieu]
|
19974
|
Monarchs must not just have links to the people; they need a body which maintains the laws
[Montesquieu]
|
19976
|
Ambition is good in a monarchy, because the monarch can always restrain it
[Montesquieu]
|
19978
|
In monarchies, men's actions are judged by their grand appearance, not their virtues
[Montesquieu]
|
19985
|
In a monarchy, the nobility must be hereditary, to bind them together
[Montesquieu]
|
19986
|
Monarchies can act more quickly, because one person is in charge
[Montesquieu]
|
21097
|
Modern monarchies are (like republics) rule by law, rather than by men
[Hume]
|
19798
|
Ancient monarchs were kings of peoples; modern monarchs more cleverly rule a land
[Rousseau]
|
19831
|
The highest officers under a monarchy are normally useless; the public could choose much better
[Rousseau]
|
19833
|
Hereditary monarchy is easier, but can lead to dreadful monarchs
[Rousseau]
|
19834
|
Attempts to train future kings don't usually work, and the best have been unprepared
[Rousseau]
|
19589
|
The whole point of a monarch is that we accept them as a higher-born, ideal person
[Novalis]
|
22677
|
A monarchical family is always deeply concerned with the interests of the state
[Tocqueville]
|
23151
|
A monarch is known to everyone in the group, and can thus unite large groups
[Russell]
|
23839
|
A lifelong head of society should only be a symbol, not a ruler
[Weil]
|