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Montesquieu Revisited, or the Mixed Constitution and the Separation of Powers in Canada*

Part of: CJP Canada 150 collection 0617

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2009

Philip Resnick
Philip Resnick
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia
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Abstract

Montesquieu may be a better guide to understanding the nature of the Canadian state, past and present, than Hobbes or Locke of any of the other political philosophers of the past. This article argues that Montesquieu's doctrine has two major components–a discussion of the mixed constitution, blending monarchical, aristocratic and democratic features, and the separation of powers that distinguishes among executive, legislative and judicial. Each of these components can be used to illuminate the operation of state power at the central level in this country, the first the long period between 1867 and the Second World War, the second the post-Second World War period, and more especially the situation that has arisen with the passage of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Résumé

Il se peut que Montesquieu nous aide à mieux comprendre I'esprit de l'État canadien que Hobbes, Locke ou n'importe quel autre philosophe politique du passé. L'auteur de cet article va insister sur deux aspects de la doctrine constitutionnelle de Montesquieu: la discussion de la constitution mixte avec des éléments monarchique, aristocratique et démocratique; la séparation des pouvoirs qui distingue l'exécutif, le législatif et le judiciaire l'un de l'autre. La constitution mixte domine la constitution canadienne et les institutions centrales entre 1867 et la deuxième guerre mondiale. Depuis la guerre, et plus particulièrement la proclamation de la loi constitutionnelle de 1982, c'est vers un régime de séparation des pouvoirs que le Canada s'achemine.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Political Science/Revue canadienne de science politique , Volume 20 , Issue 1 , March 1987 , pp. 97 - 115
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Political Science Association (l'Association canadienne de science politique) and/et la Société québécoise de science politique 1987

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References

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