A tripartite classification in which varieties of this phenomenon correspond to the Phrygian, Doric, and Lydian modes appears in the Method for the Easy Comprehension of History by Jean Bodin. Politics are compared to a “smooth file” in a chapter on this phenomenon, which reports on the examination of a sheep’s tongue with shrunken papillae. The Comte de Buffon theorized that “New (*) World degeneracy” was caused by this phenomenon. A treatise declaring that “the state of slavery is in its own nature bad” claims that slavery can only be justified by the laziness induced by this phenomenon, which causes different countries to adopt monarchical, republican, and despotic governments. For 10 points, the Baron de Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws attributes differences in national character to what meteorological factor? ■END■
ANSWER: climate [or national climate; or weather; accept descriptive factors like wet climate, cold climate, hot climate, or dry climate; accept the temperature; prompt on geography or latitude; prompt on the laws or national customs by asking “Caused by what other factor?”; reject “race”]
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= Average correct buzz position