RE: if you could have just one dead tree book
Charles du Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu's "Espirit de Lois" (The Spirit of
Laws) 1757
It's basically the political theory that Madison(4th Pres) and Jefferson
(3rd Pres) used when they were penning the Declaration and Constitution.
Madison and Jefferson basically praise it with bringing "Republican" theory
out of the dark ages. Adams (2nd Pres) also had high praise for the work.
It's 1000 pages, but skip all the silly parts near the end about the effect
of climate on government. I'm not saying there is no effect, but his ideas
are silly. It's hard to get an unabridged version, regardless.
Everyone in America learns that we get the three-branched form of government
from Montesquieu, but that turns out to be the topic in only 3% of the book.
Suffice it to say I believe conservatives in America would like to pretend
it doesn't exist.
>From Book 7, Chapter 3 (???)
<quote>
What is meant by love of the Republic in a Democracy?
Love of the republic in a democracy is love of the democracy, love of the
democracy is that of equality.
Likewise, love of the republic is that of frugality.
But if someone wants tax cuts for billionaires, that's ok too.
</quote>
I think I might have gotten that last line wrong.
-Josh Narins, Aristocratic Republican
P.S. You will get a big hoot learning the difference between a Democratic
and Aristocratic Republican!
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