Montesquieu’s Political Economy

This book provides an introductory survey of Montesquieu's economic ideas and a fresh examination of the longstanding controversy over the meaning and purpose of Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws. No one doubts that Montesquieu helped to formulate the core liberal ideals at the heart of the development of liberal republican traditions on both the European and American continents. Yet, questions remain about Montesquieu's political intentions. In particular, the view of Montesquieu as a conscious proponent of commercial modernity has come under increasing scrutiny. While not ignoring recent scholarly challenges, Bibby moves the debate forward by uncovering the many hidden connections between commerce, liberty, and religion in The Spirit of the Laws. A failure to make these connections, Bibby argues, has led to significant interpretative errors. This book attempts to eliminate one source of the confusion which continues to cloud Montesquieu's political philosophy inobscurity.

"Montesquieu's Political Economy advances our understanding of Montesquieu while also enlivening the resurgence of political economy itself. For Montesquieu, moral philosophy and economic science were not separate disciplines but perspectives that by the very nature of the subject must be combined. Andrew Bibby reminds us of how exciting political economy once was, and could yet again be." - John Tomasi, Founder and Director of the Political Theory Project, Brown Univeristy, USA

"By holding on to the thread of commerce, Andrew Bibby walks us successfully through the labyrinth of The Spirit of the Laws. He shows how commerce is linked to the largest questions of politics and religion. This balanced and insightful treatment of the controversies surrounding the character and extent of Montesquieu's liberalism proves that the spirit of moderation should belong to the commentator as much as the legislator. Montesquieu's Political Economy will establish Bibby in the front ranks of Montesquieu scholars." - Diana J. Schaub, Professor of Political Science, Loyola University Maryland, USA

"Montesquieu's Political Economy advances our understanding of Montesquieu while also enlivening the resurgence of political economy itself. For Montesquieu, moral philosophy and economic science were not separate disciplines but perspectives that by the very nature of the subject must be combined. Andrew Bibby reminds us of how exciting political economy once was, and could yet again be." - John Tomasi, Founder and Director of the Political Theory Project, Brown Univeristy, USA

"By holding on to the thread of commerce, Andrew Bibby walks us successfully through the labyrinth of The Spirit of the Laws. He shows how commerce is linked to the largest questions of politics and religion. This balanced and insightful treatment of the controversies surrounding the character and extent of Montesquieu's liberalism proves that the spirit of moderation should belong to the commentator as much as the legislator. Montesquieu's Political Economy will establish Bibby in the front ranks of Montesquieu scholars." - Diana J. Schaub, Professor of Political Science, Loyola University Maryland, USA

Andrew Scott Bibby is Interim Director of the Center for Constitutional Studies, Utah Valley University, USA. Previously, he was Visiting Assistant Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University, USA and Research Associate at the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, Princeton University, USA. Bibby's current research focuses on Montesquieu's influence on the American Founding and the early republic. He teaches courses on American political thought and the intellectual foundations of the US Constitution.