Montesquieu on 21st Century Issues

Montesquieu would find the American Government today intriguing. He was completely against the social ranking in France at the time. He would be very happy to know that social statuses matter much less now. Also, it is easier to move up in social rank nowadays in America, when back then in France, it was near impossible.

"The principle of democracy is corrupted not only when the spirit of equality is extinct, but likewise when they fall into a spirit of extreme equality, and when each citizen would fain be upon a level with those whom he has chosen to command him. Then, the people, incapable of bearing the very power they have delegated, want to manage everything themselves, to debate for the senate, to execute for the magistrate, and to decide for the judges." Book VIII of The Spirit of Laws - Questia

He would be very pleased with the democracy in the United States. As far as I know, there is very little corruption in the voting of citizens.

He would also be intrigued by the idea of internet. He could go to an internet cafes nowadays to use the internet to communicate with other philosophes, rather than meeting them in person. This way, he could communicate to people from all over.