Locke & Montesquieu: The Philosophers Behind the Founders

Where did the founding ideas of Washington, Madison, and Jefferson find their origins? How did America come to be the preeminent example of the sovereignty of the people? Four professors discuss how the foundational ideas behind this unique political experiment can be traced back to two extraordinary thinkers: John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu.

00:00 - Opening
00:51 - Title Card
00:57 - Locke & Montesquieu
01:21 - Locke's Influence
02:58 - Montesquieu's Influence
03:58 - Constituting a Government: balance of powers
05:42 - Locke and Montesquieu's ideas today
06:28 - End Credits

#FedSocFilms #FedSoc #ThePhilosophersBehindTheFounders #FoundingPhilosophers #FoundingFathers #TheFederalistSociety #Locke #Montesquieu

Featuring:

Professor Paul Carrese | Director of the School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University

Professor Eric R. Claeys | Professor of Law at the Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University

Professor Paul A. Rahe | Professor of History, Charles O. Lee and Louise K. Lee Chair in the Western Heritage, Member of Graduate Faculty at Hillsdale College

Professor Michael Zuckert | Nancy R. Dreux Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame

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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.

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Related Links & Differing Views:

Democracy in Moderation: Montesquieu, Tocqueville, and Sustainable Liberalism

America’s Civic Virtue of Moderation

Montesquieu & the Separation of Powers

Launching Liberalism: On Lockean Political Philosophy

Montesquieu and the Logic of Liberty

Soft Despotism, Democracy's Drift: Montesquieu, Rousseau, Tocqueville, and the Modern Prospect

#FedSocFilms

[jrowinski]

Excellent video that I use in my U.S. Government class.

[Lwbxci]

Just wrote a paper on this topic. Really wish I had watched this when I was getting started.

[sidneylittle]

Thank you! i truly gained by watching this.

[tylerabel]

This is a great video continue making more like it

[GTX]

Locke = Declaration of Independence / Montesquieu = Constitution

[yurielastillero]

That it is essential to balance power, or to seek equilibrium among numerous factions of the state, in order to be committed to have moderation between the majority and minority, and to secure what is rightfully beneficial for all, be it constrained by the few or allowed by the same, with rational judgment and for purposeful compromises.

[cuchulain]

Our government was fundamentally changed in 1865.

[nataliem]

Excellent conclusion. Thanks for this.

[samuelbaker]

I know it's a little different, but what is the name of the song used in the background.

[angelcrow]

This video was so distracting I couldn't follow what was being said. The background sound effects over powered the voices and the randomness of the imagery was so distracting it took away from the main point.

[abhid.]

Noob Question and I am not trying to be derogatory in any way:

What do groups like 'Antifa' think of Locke and Montesquieu?

[owlnyc]

Governments exist to serve the peop!e! Separation Of Powers. Consent Required. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[SamaritanPrime]

Montesquieu looks way too much like Palpatine.

[susanpower]

total naturalist relativist indifferentist freemason brainwashing/what about SOVEREIGNTY OF CREATOR AND REVELATION?

[JakeRichardsong]

Please get rid of the music, just silly and distracting.