Project I : Montesquieu's Influence
Project I was my first experience enrolled in the Apollo Course. The topic I decided to focus on was Montesquieu. My goal was to analyze and research Montesquieu's theories, research, impact, and his influence on present day politics. I am enrolled in Art, English, and Social Studies in my Apollo Course. I created three products that correlated to each subject. I made a writing piece that discussed Montesquieu's impact on present day politics and his own research of separation of powers for Social Studies. I also wrote a poem using Montesquieu's quotes and my own writing to make a whole for English. Lastly, I made a mixed-media art piece that incorporated a collage of present day topics and a portrait of Montesquieu for Art. I chose this topic because I feel as though it relates heavily to things that are occurring in present day politics. By doing this project, I was able to learn and understand more of the events that have occurred recently and also how the U.S. government was structured.
Social Studies
Montesquieu was a French philosopher whose work has had a major influence on the politics of the United States. He was born on January 18, 1689, and passed away on February 10, 1755. Montesquieu is well remembered for applying the theory of separation of powers and bringing new ideas of it. Montesquieu brought the idea of government lead science. He worked on this theory for 20 years. The theory consisted of a scientific study of government. His theory is to take the emotional propaganda out of politics and government. He established scientific principles to replace those that are built on emotions. His studies shape and influence the way our government was built, however, we came full circle.
In the present day, politics have become more emotional. The balance that Montesquieu had studied is no longer present. Montesquieu thought that every branch of government should be separate. They should all keep each other accountable to make sure that one doesn’t imbalance and “over-power” the others. The separation of powers was used to prevent tyranny (cruel and oppressive government rule), which he believed came from a ruler with too great of a power. Montesquieu had written a book called Spirit of the Laws which explores an approach to dealing with despotism (the use of absolute power in a cruel oppressive way.) Montesquieu believed that power was responsible for checking the power of others. Montesquieu had said, “Power ought to serve as a check to power” (Montesquieu). These ideas and theories that Montesquieu researched have majorly influenced politics around the world, including the United States.
In the United States Constitution, Montesquieu has great influence. The Constitution establishes three branches of government. Each of these branches can check or limit the other two and this creates a balance between the three branches of government. The constitution gave the legislative branch more checks because they worried that the President would become out of control. This shows how Montesquieu’s theories have influenced the United State’s politics. These three branches exist still today. However, instead of the politics being lead by science and balance, it is becoming emotion-based and unbalanced. “But what’s happening in the Senate this week suggests the exact opposite: that most of the checks and balances Congress provided against the president’s power are effectively gone” (Wehle). Montesquieu’s theories involved all three branches stay separate, but now the legislative branch and the executive branch are doing the opposite. The Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell is working with Trump, the current President, almost like a puppet. McConnell is basically allowing Trump to do whatever Trump pleases and he will make it happen. Therefore, the legislative branch’s check is still there, still able to be made use of, but the balance and separation are now gone and they are no longer putting those checks into effect.
The executive branch is abusing its power. Montesquieu claimed that a person with too much power would have become ill-intentioned and immoral. He said that person would be needed to be checked by a different power to regain balance and separation, but at this time, the President isn’t being checked for his actions. “Despite ample evidence of serious misconduct, the Republican-led Senate appears certain to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial” (Wehle). There are countless examples where Trump has abused his powers for his own benefit and self-gain. The things that are being done by Trump and the government at this point, is the opposite of what Montesquieu research and theories had came to conclude. The behavior of Trump seems to closely compare to those that Montesquieu had described as tyranny. Montesquieu had said, “There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice” (Montesquieu).
To conclude, Montesquieu’s theories and ideas were a result of researching scientific approaches to government. Montesquieu’s thoughts and theories influenced American government and politics heavily. Montesquieu believed in branches of government that were separated and balanced, but that kept each others’ power in check. Today, the government has seemed to drift away from the separation of powers and is working with emotion-based intentions instead of the scientific ones that Montesquieu had researched of. The question is, will we be able to restore the balance of power?
In the present day, politics have become more emotional. The balance that Montesquieu had studied is no longer present. Montesquieu thought that every branch of government should be separate. They should all keep each other accountable to make sure that one doesn’t imbalance and “over-power” the others. The separation of powers was used to prevent tyranny (cruel and oppressive government rule), which he believed came from a ruler with too great of a power. Montesquieu had written a book called Spirit of the Laws which explores an approach to dealing with despotism (the use of absolute power in a cruel oppressive way.) Montesquieu believed that power was responsible for checking the power of others. Montesquieu had said, “Power ought to serve as a check to power” (Montesquieu). These ideas and theories that Montesquieu researched have majorly influenced politics around the world, including the United States.
In the United States Constitution, Montesquieu has great influence. The Constitution establishes three branches of government. Each of these branches can check or limit the other two and this creates a balance between the three branches of government. The constitution gave the legislative branch more checks because they worried that the President would become out of control. This shows how Montesquieu’s theories have influenced the United State’s politics. These three branches exist still today. However, instead of the politics being lead by science and balance, it is becoming emotion-based and unbalanced. “But what’s happening in the Senate this week suggests the exact opposite: that most of the checks and balances Congress provided against the president’s power are effectively gone” (Wehle). Montesquieu’s theories involved all three branches stay separate, but now the legislative branch and the executive branch are doing the opposite. The Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell is working with Trump, the current President, almost like a puppet. McConnell is basically allowing Trump to do whatever Trump pleases and he will make it happen. Therefore, the legislative branch’s check is still there, still able to be made use of, but the balance and separation are now gone and they are no longer putting those checks into effect.
The executive branch is abusing its power. Montesquieu claimed that a person with too much power would have become ill-intentioned and immoral. He said that person would be needed to be checked by a different power to regain balance and separation, but at this time, the President isn’t being checked for his actions. “Despite ample evidence of serious misconduct, the Republican-led Senate appears certain to acquit Trump in his impeachment trial” (Wehle). There are countless examples where Trump has abused his powers for his own benefit and self-gain. The things that are being done by Trump and the government at this point, is the opposite of what Montesquieu research and theories had came to conclude. The behavior of Trump seems to closely compare to those that Montesquieu had described as tyranny. Montesquieu had said, “There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice” (Montesquieu).
To conclude, Montesquieu’s theories and ideas were a result of researching scientific approaches to government. Montesquieu’s thoughts and theories influenced American government and politics heavily. Montesquieu believed in branches of government that were separated and balanced, but that kept each others’ power in check. Today, the government has seemed to drift away from the separation of powers and is working with emotion-based intentions instead of the scientific ones that Montesquieu had researched of. The question is, will we be able to restore the balance of power?
English
“What unhappy beings men are!
They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears,
and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with,
and phantoms which lead them astray.”
Facades,
Masks to hide behind.
A face that is not truly yours.
An artificial smile,
A lifeless dull in the eyes of which you see,
Perfect from afar.
But don’t look too close,
Not everything is what it seems.
“If one only wished to be happy,
this could be easily accomplished;
but we wish to be happier than other people,
and this is always difficult,
for we believe others to be happier than they are.”
They constantly waver between false hopes and silly fears,
and instead of relying on reason they create monsters to frighten themselves with,
and phantoms which lead them astray.”
Facades,
Masks to hide behind.
A face that is not truly yours.
An artificial smile,
A lifeless dull in the eyes of which you see,
Perfect from afar.
But don’t look too close,
Not everything is what it seems.
“If one only wished to be happy,
this could be easily accomplished;
but we wish to be happier than other people,
and this is always difficult,
for we believe others to be happier than they are.”
Art
For my Art product, I created a mixed media piece using matte varnish, colored pencil, paint, canvas board, and printed images.
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First, I outlined Montesquieu's head and bust using pencil. I then decided to use color pencil to get an idea of the colors and details I wanted to replicate with paint.
Second, I used acrylic paint to add color to the portrait. After I finished painting, I realized there was a few details that I felt needed to be touched up. I softened some of the harsh lines and I made some changes to his eye and lid shape so the resemblance was more recognizable. Lastly, I used matte varnish to paste the printed pictures of present day topics onto the canvas board along with the painted portrait of Montesquieu. I added some of the paint when I was using the matte varnish to make the two components blend together. |