Question

When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.

–Baron de Montesquieu,
The Spirit of the Laws,
1748

Read the excerpt, then answer the question.



According to Montesquieu, what would happen in an absolute monarchy?

Laws could not be enacted.
Citizens could lose their freedom.
Tyranny would be avoided.
Powers would be limited.

Answer 1

Montesquieu believed that in an absolute monarchy, citizens could lose their freedom due to the risk of tyrannical laws and actions from a unified legislative and executive power.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Montesquieu, in an absolute monarchy, where the legislative and executive powers are united, citizens could lose their freedom. This concentration of power could lead to the enactment of tyrannical laws and their tyrannical execution, which is antithetical to liberty. Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers into different governmental branches to ensure political liberty and protect against tyranny.