Charles de Montesquieu advanced the idea that societies evolved from savagery to barbarism to civilization as their members increased their command of rational thought.

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The idea that societies evolved from savagery to barbarism to civilization as their members increased their command of rational thought is most closely associated with the Scottish Enlightenment, particularly the work of Adam Ferguson and the stages theory of social development, rather than Charles de Montesquieu. Montesquieu is better known for his theory of the separation of powers in government.

Charles De Montesquieu Advanced the Idea That Societies Evolved from Savagery