Montesquieu's "The Spirit of the Laws"

Montesquieu's "The Spirit of the Laws" argues that the best way to prevent tyranny is to separate government powers into different branches—legislative, executive, and judicial. This division creates a system of checks and balances, ensuring no single part becomes too powerful. He believed that laws and government structures should adapt to a society's specific culture, climate, and economic circumstances. His ideas heavily influenced modern democratic systems by highlighting the importance of limiting power and promoting political liberty through thoughtful organization of government functions.