"The Spirit of the Laws" (by Montesquieu)

"The Spirit of the Laws" by Montesquieu is a foundational work exploring how different political systems function best. He argues that effective government depends on a balance of powers—executive, legislative, and judicial—that prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Montesquieu also emphasizes that laws should reflect a society’s customs, climate, and culture. His ideas promote the separation of powers, which influences modern democracies by ensuring fairness, protecting individual freedoms, and maintaining political stability through checks and balances.