more from Baron de Montesquieu

Single Idea 19969

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / b. Consultation]

Full Idea

When the people votes it should do so in public. ...For it is necessary that the lower classes be enlightened by those of higher rank, that the precipitous qualities of the lower classes be held in check by the grave example of certain notables.

Gist of Idea

Voting should be public, so the lower classes can be influenced by the example of notable people

Source

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 02.02)

Book Reference

Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.118


A Reaction

This sounds shocking to us, but the lower classes were largely illiterate. Nowadays we have television to tell us how the notables are going to vote, and the less notables seem to be increasingly unimpressed.