Montesquieu’s Political Philosophy: The Separation of Powers and Political Liberty in the Light of Good Governance and Sustainable Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26629/uzjlss.2026.02Keywords:
: Montesquieu, political philosophy; The Spirit of the Laws, sustainable developmentAbstract
This study examines the political philosophy of Charles-Louis de Second at, Baron de Montesquieu, and its foundational contributions to the evolution of Western political thought, focusing specifically on the principle of the separation of powers and political liberty as articulated in his seminal work, The Spirit of the Laws.
To achieve its objectives, the study adopts a multi-methodological approach: it employs the historical method to contextualize the absolute monarchy in France and its justifications for despotism, viewing it as the historical backdrop that triggered Montesquieu’s critical project for political moderation and the rule of law. Furthermore, the analytical-critical method is utilized to uncover his philosophical foundations, analyze his typology of governments, evaluate the preventative mechanisms of the separation of powers against tyranny, and elucidate his conception of political liberties as rights exercised strictly under the law. Expanding into contemporary discourse, the research applies an institutional-analytical to link Montesquieu’s thought to the institutional dimension of sustainable development (specifically SDG 16), demonstrating that judicial independence, the balance of powers, and mutual checks and balances are prerequisites for good governance, sustainable public policies, and anti-corruption efforts.
The study concludes that Montesquieu established a normative reference framework for building just and effective institutions. It recommends integrating this framework into legal education curricula, political science, Sharia and Islamic studies, as well as economics and financial transactions, thereby fostering an institutional awareness that intertwines justice, governance, and sustainable development.
References
Abdulghani, N., Masuwd, M., Alrumayh, S., Masoud, M., & Touré, Y. (2025). Maqasid al-Shariah as a Framework for Developing Critical Thinking in Islamic Higher Education. Journal of Islamic Studies and Social Science, 1(2), 47-63.
Abrahem, M. ., & Baroud, N. . (2025). EXPLORING CULTURAL, POLITICAL, AND SOCIOECONOMIC INFLUENCES ON COLLECTIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE IN LIBYA. Jurnal Ilmu Psikologi Dan Kesehatan (SIKONTAN), 3(4), 163–176. https://doi.org/10.47353/sikontan.v3i4.2784
Alriteemi, A., Masuwd, M,, Masoud, M., Alsayd, A., Aboujanah, Y., Alrumayh, S., & Ayad, N. (2025). The Geography of Place in the Qur’anic Narrative: A Hermeneutical Study of the Story of Moses and Al-Khidr through the Lenses of Philosophical Symbolism and Pedagogical Perception. Tebuireng: Journal of Islamic Studies and Society, 6(1), 119–138. https://doi.org/10.33752/tjiss.v6i1.9813
Alrumayh, S., Ayad, N., Alriteemi, A., Masoud, M., Masuwd, M., Sami Barkah, Naser Ali Abdulghani, & Husna Nashihin. (2025). Geography, space and education in the qur’anic story of moses: A hermeneutical perspective. Amorti: Jurnal Studi Islam Interdisipliner, 4(4), 138–150. https://doi.org/10.59944/amorti.v4i4.481
Ayad, N., Masuwd, M. A., & Alrumayh, S. (2025). From riba to zakat: An analytical study of Islamic economic principles and their distinction from conventional economics. Bulletin of Islamic Research, 3(4), 733–752. https://doi.org/10.69526/bir.v3i4.358
Bastiar, B., Bukhari, B., Anwar, A., Iswandi, I., & Masuwd, M. A. (2025). Syariat in Action: Assessing the Impact of Jinayat Law on Social Order in Aceh. Justicia Islamica, 22(1), 159-184. https://doi.org/10.21154/justicia.v22i1.9913
Fukuyama, F. (2013). What is governance?. Governance, 26(3), 347-368.
Kasheem, M., Yahya, N., Shalghoum, N., Masuwd, M., Alriteemi, A., Abdullah, M., Alsaeh, F., & Alrumayh, S. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Academic Research: Adoption, Opportunities, and Barriers among Faculty in Libya Higher Education. Multidisciplinary Journal of Thought and Research, 1(3), 109-127. https://mujoter.intischolar.id/index.php/mujoter/article/view/20
Luhuringbudi, T., Putra, P., Masuwd, M. A., Alsayd, A. D., & Alrumayh, S. H. (2025). Assessing the Impact of Trump’s Economic Policy Strategies on Economic Reform in Indonesia. Contemporary Society and Politics Journal, 4(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.32939/cspj.v4i1.5142
Maati, A., Alzletni, N., Yahya, N., Barkah, S., Aladi, S., Alrumayh, S., … Masuwd, M. (2025). Bridging Faith and Sustainability: Faculty Attitudes toward Integrating Research Priorities with Islamic Educational Values and SDG 4. Journal of Multidisciplinary Research of Education, 1(3), 178–190. https://doi.org/10.34125/jomre.v1i3.34
Mahmudin, M., Nafi, M., & Masuwd, M. (2024). Sharia Insurance Controversy: Fatwa Review and Its Development. Waralaba: Journal Of Economics and Business, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.61590/waralaba.v1i3.217
Masoud, M., Kasheem, M., Barkah, S., Alsaeh, F., Baroud, N., & Albshkar, H. (2025). Balancing Technology and Empathy: Faculty Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in University Counseling. Coution: Journal Counseling and Education, 6(2), 147-166.https://doi.org/10.47453/coution.v6i2.3624
Masuwd, M. (2025). Philosophical Hermeneutics and the Study of Religion in Literature: Freedom, Faith, and Authority in Milton’s Paradise Lost. University of Zawia - RewaqAlhkma Journal, 9(1). Retrieved from https://journals.zu.edu.ly/index.php/UZRHJ/article/view/1395
Masuwd, M. (2026). Revitalizing the Mosque’s Role as an Economic Stabilizer for the Muslim Community: Social Fiqh Perspectives and Contemporary Practice. Al Qalam: Jurnal Ilmiah Keagamaan dan Kemasyarakatan, 20(1), 291-307. http://dx.doi.org/10.35931/aq.v20i1.5913
Masuwd, M. A. . (2024). Islamic Pluralism and Küng’s Global Ethical Discourse: Toward a “Global-Maqāṣid” Centered Paradigm. Ittesaal – Journal of Connecting Discourses, 1(2), 41-63. https://doi.org/10.64984/ijcd.1.2.2024.03
Muttaqin, M. Z., Alrumayh, S. H., & Barkah, S. A. M. (2026). Utilization of Social Media in Living Qur’an Learning: An Analysis of Generation Z Students. Tunjuk Ajar: Journal of Education and Culture, 2(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.64929/ta.v1i2.34
Nafi, M., Ulayya, M. S., Mahmudin, M., Bahamisy, M. H. M., & Alrumayh, S. H. (2024). Alternative Fikih in Sharia Economics (An Offer of Takhayur Fikih). Waralaba: Journal Of Economics and Business, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.61590/waralaba.v1i3.218
North, D. C. (1990). Institutions, institutional change and economic performance. Cambridge Univ Pr.
Shalghoum, N., Yahya, N., Abdullah, M., Masuwd, M., Kasheem, M., Alrumayh, S., Aryanti, Y., &Rosyadi, N. (2025). Integrating Maqasid al-Shariah into Higher Education: Enhancing the Role of Faculty in Achieving the SDGs. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 4(2), 153–173. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v4i2.231
Sulistyowati, E., Masnun, M. A., & Yahya, N. (2025). An Ideal Model for The Preparation of Internal Regulations of Universities in Indonesia Based on Meaningful Participation in The Success of Sustainable Development Goals (Sdg's) 2030. Jurnal Suara Hukum, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.26740/jsh.v7n2.p463-487
Syarifuddin, S., Soeradji, E., Alfiannoor, I., Suradilaga, A. S., & Masuwd, M. A. (2025). Legal Politics of Restricting Access to Online Gambling in Fiqh Siyasah and Saddu Adz-Dzariah Perspectives. Nurani: jurnal kajian syari'ah dan masyarakat, 25(1), 219-243. https://doi.org/10.19109/nurani.v25i1.25361
Tamanaha, B. Z. (2004). On the rule of law: History, politics, theory. Cambridge University Press.
Wiresti, R. D., Wibowo, D. V., Kuswanto , A. V., & Sami Barkah. (2025). Islamic parenting education: Emotional stimulation of children in the family. At Turots: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(2), 1416–1426. https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v7i2.1224
Yahya, N., Abdullah, M., & Masuwd, M. (2025). Development of Digital Education in Libya: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions. International Journal of Education and Digital Learning (IJEDL), 3(5), 211–219. https://doi.org/10.47353/ijedl.v3i5.307
إبراهيم مجيديلة. (2015). القانون والدِّين في فلسفة مونتسكيو. تبين، 3(12)، 49-62.
بيرنجيه، جان، وآخرون. (1995). موسوعة تاريخ أوروبا العام (ترجمة: وجيه البوعيشي، ج2). بيروت: منشورات عويدات.
حمودي الجليل، عدنان. (1985). مبدأ الفصل بين السلطات وحقيقة أفكار مونتسكيو. مجلة الحقوق، 9(2).
حنفي، ممدوح محمود محمد، ونيرة. (2025). مبدأ الفصل بين السلطات عند مونتسكيو وأثره في تدعيم دولة القانون. حولية كلية الآداب – جامعة بني سويف، 14(1)، 207-244.
صفاء حسين الرميح, أروى حسين بركات, محمد امحمد المؤلف, كريمة الطاهر الحاج, & عبدالرؤوف على عطية. (2025). تحليل محتوى رسائل الماجستير بكلية القانون بجامعة الزاوية في ضوء الهدف السادس عشر من أهداف التنمية المستدامة. مجلة جامعة الزاوية للعلوم القانونية و الشرعية, 14(2), 117-128.
https://doi.org/10.26629/uzjlss.2025.07
عمران، سعيد، وآخرون. (1989). النظم السياسية عبر العصور. بيروت: دار النهضة العربية.
فضل الله، اسماعيل (2005) رواد الفكر السياسي الحديث، الإسكندرية، مكتبة بستان المعرفة.
مونتسكيو، شارل. (1953). روح القوانين (ترجمة: عادل زعيتر). القاهرة: دار المعارف.
ياسين، ياسر طه، وجيثوم، نشوان تكليف. (2024). النظم القانونية والسياسية في فكر مونتسكيو. مجلة الفارابي للعلوم الإنسانية، 3(1).
| Articles published in the Univ Zawia J Legal Sharia Sci are licensed under a 
