“An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.”
- January 18, 1689 – February 10, 1755
- French
- Political Philosopher, Jurist, Author of The Spirit of the Laws
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Quote
“An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war.”
Explanation
Montesquieu highlights a fundamental instability in empires built through conquest: they are born in violence and must continue using violence to survive. When a regime gains power through military force rather than justice or consent, it becomes dependent on continual aggression, fear, and domination to preserve its authority. Peace is not a natural state for such an empire—it threatens its very foundation.
This view aligns with Montesquieu’s broader concern for political moderation and the dangers of despotism. In The Spirit of the Laws, he argues that military empires often lack the institutions necessary for sustainable governance, such as laws, liberty, and civil society. Instead of evolving toward stability and justice, they must continually seek new enemies, impose control, and suppress dissent to maintain their structure.
In modern terms, this quote resonates with the historical trajectories of empires from Rome to colonial powers to modern militarized states. When power is established through force, it rarely transitions easily to peace and democracy. Montesquieu’s insight serves as a warning that true stability and legitimacy cannot be forged through violence alone; they must be built on law, participation, and shared values.
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