An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war

An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war

Charles de Montesquieu, a French philosopher and political thinker of the Enlightenment era, is often credited with the famous quote, "An empire founded by war has to maintain itself by war." This statement encapsulates Montesquieu's belief in the relationship between the origins of empires and their sustainability through military conquest.

Montesquieu's political philosophy, as outlined in his seminal work "The Spirit of the Laws," emphasizes the importance of balance of power and separation of powers in maintaining political stability. He believed that empires built through conquest and military might were inherently unstable, as they relied on force and coercion to maintain control over their territories. In such empires, the ruling elite often resorted to violence and oppression to quell dissent and maintain their grip on power.

According to Montesquieu, the very nature of war and conquest breeds a culture of violence and aggression that permeates the fabric of society. This culture of militarism becomes ingrained in the ruling class, leading to a perpetual cycle of conflict and bloodshed. As a result, empires founded on war are forced to continually expand their territories and engage in military campaigns to secure their dominance.

Furthermore, Montesquieu argued that the maintenance of power through force and coercion ultimately undermines the legitimacy of the ruling regime. The use of violence and repression erodes the trust and loyalty of the subjects, leading to internal strife and rebellion. In order to quell dissent and maintain control, the ruling elite must resort to ever-increasing levels of violence and oppression, further destabilizing the empire.