The document discusses the views of Montesquieu and John Locke on the legitimacy, consent, separation of powers, and individual liberty of government. Montesquieu believed that laws were natural and there were three types: law of nations, political laws, and civil law. Both philosophers agreed that government should be derived from the consent of the people and protect individual rights and freedoms. Montesquieu advocated for the separation of government powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent the concentration of power, an idea also supported by Locke. Additionally, they both felt that individual liberty should be ensured and only restricted by laws concerning public order and security.

1. MONTESQUIEUG O V E R N M E N T
LEGITIMACY OF
• Montesquieu felt that everything was made up
of laws as laws were a natural part of life.
• The institution of government led to three
types of laws: law of nations, political laws
and the civil law.

2. JOHN LOCKE
Legitimacy of Government
• The Aim of Legitimate government is to preserve the
rights to life and liberty of citizens
• Government should prosecute those who violate the right
of the citizens

3. MONTESQUIEU
Government by the Consent of the Governed
• Montesquieu spoke at great length about democracy, and
described democracy as the power of persons electing
their ministers.
• Montesquieu believe the underlying principle of
democracy was virtue, where the public interest was
greater than that of personal interest.

4. JOHN LOCKE
Government by the consent of the Governed
• Government derived by the consent of the people
• Government can be withdrawn when the freedom of the
individual is violated.

5. MONTESQUIEU
Separation of Powers
• In an attempt to ensure that no one individual or group
threated the freedom of the people by seizing all the power,
Montesquieu advocated his idea of the separation of powers
• This spoke to the division of government power into three
branches inclusive of: the legislative, executive, and judicial
branches.

6. JOHN LOCKE
Separation of Powers
• Believed that government must be divided into different
branches namely executive and legislative
• Believed that the two branches work hand in hand to
execute the law and govern effectively

7. MONTESQUIEU
Individual Liberty
• Montesquieu described liberty as the freedom to do as
much as possible while abiding by the laws which are
implemented to ensure our safety.
• In an effort to ensure that citizens have as much freedom
as possible laws should only be concerned with public
order, security and outward conduct.

8. JOHN LOCKE
Individual Liberty
• He believes that we are born naturally free and should be
protected by the state of nature which is the government
• The laws of nature should be origin by the laws of nature
and not the state.