Montesquieu: •Key Work: The Spirit of the Laws (1748) •Focus: Political systems, separation of powers, comparative government •Famous Concept: Separation of Powers (executive, legislative, judicial) •Approach: Systematic, analytical, institutional •Ideal Government: Constitutional monarchy with checks and balances •View on England: Admired British system as model •Style: Scholarly, systematic, philosophical Voltaire: •Key Works: Candide, Philosophical Letters, countless essays/pamphlets •Focus: Individual freedom, religious tolerance, social justice •Famous Concept: "Écrasez l'infâme!" ("Crush the infamous thing!" - meaning religious intolerance) •Approach: Polemical, satirical, activist •Ideal Government: Enlightened absolutism (wise monarch) •View on England: Admired British tolerance and empiricism •Style: Witty, biting, accessible, propagandistic ( direct link )