Absolutism vs. Democracy.

If a country were choosing it's government, and I was the one who was to decide if we were to follow a democracy or an absolute ruler, I would select a democracy. Democracy is the only government where the people wont have their freedoms taken by one person and no one can abuse their power. Democracy is more effective then absolutism in that power is separated in 3 branches, this way of government is firmly believed in by Montesquieu. Another positive from democracy is that people are given the right to free speech, which was written about in many of Voltaires' books. Democracy and freedom are also taught in John Lockes' book, he believed in the nature of being free, equal and independent. Democracy is the way!

A French speaker named Montesquieu wrote a book called "The Spirit of the Laws". And in this book (as seen in document 6) Montesquieu tells us that there can be no liberty in which the executive, judicial and legislature branches are all controlled by one man. The only way to have a well run civilization is one in which power is separated. If you were to split power into 3 branches of equal power and importance, then they may act as a check on each other. This is also called checks and balances. With this system of checks and balances, it keeps one person or small group of persons from gaining power and driving a well-organized union into fragments.

Another French philosopher names Voltaire was a strong believer in free speech. He said in one of his books (as seen in document 5) that the best government is in which the laws equally protect all men. He believed that no matter if you were right or wrong, high-class or poor, you should have the right to say anything you want. Even if he disagreed with your opinion, he would defend your right to say it. He was eventually exiled and had all of his books burned. He still did not give up his belief that people should have freedom of speech. He was also against divine right and that does not exist within a