This thinker grouped governments into monarchies, despotisms, and republics, in a work that popularized the idea of the separation of powers through branched government.
In one work, this thinker wrote a lengthy section in praise of commerce, which he believed produces peace and good manners. This philosopher asserted that people living in warm and cold countries were too hot-tempered or icy, respectively, concluding that the climate of middle Europe was ideal, and showed why man should not live by his desires in the Fable of the Troglodytes. This thinker grouped governments into monarchies, despotisms, and republics, in a work that popularized the idea of the separation of powers through branched government. For 10 points, name this French Enlightenment author of Persian Letters and The Spirit of the Laws.
In one work, this thinker wrote a lengthy section in praise of commerce, which he believed produces peace and good manners.
Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron (de La Brede et) de Montesquieu