Question #c66b8

1 Answer
Jun 13, 2017

One (of many) concepts of the French enlightenment was the concept of separation of powers.

Explanation:

Baron Montesquieu taught that power corrupts power and that absolute power corrupts absolutely. His writings advocated for the separation of powers as the only way to ensure that the rights of the individual were not abused by the power of the government.

Jacques Rossseau taught that people were basically good and the best way for the government to rule was to get out of the way. Montesquieu disagreed. Montesquieu felt that though people wanted to do good they would end up doing evil ( See Romans Chapter 7)

Montesquieu encouraged that the power of the government be divided into three parts the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive. The United States Constitution followed Montesquieu advise. The three branches are balanced by checks and balances, so that no one branch can dominate the government and abuse the rights of individuals.