This philosopher studied government and devised the idea of a separation of powers.

This philosopher studied government and devised the idea of a separation of powers.

• A. Voltaire
• B. John Locke
• C. Montesquieu
• D. Rousseau

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the separation of powers as a way to prevent tyranny by dividing government responsibilities. Montesquieu argued that government should be split into different branches—typically legislative, executive, and judicial—each with its own distinct powers. This division creates checks and balances, so no single body can dominate; each branch can limit or oversee the others. His analysis, especially in The Spirit of the Laws, laid out how this setup protects liberty by preventing the concentration of power and providing institutional restraints. Other Enlightenment figures contributed in important ways but not in the specific structural doctrine of separating powers. Voltaire emphasized civil liberties and critique of religious intolerance; John Locke focused on natural rights and limited government derived from a social contract; Rousseau emphasized popular sovereignty and the general will. Montesquieu’s unique contribution is the formal idea that organizing government into separate, balanced branches is essential to protecting freedom.

The main idea here is the separation of powers as a way to prevent tyranny by dividing government responsibilities. Montesquieu argued that government should be split into different branches—typically legislative, executive, and judicial—each with its own distinct powers. This division creates checks and balances, so no single body can dominate; each branch can limit or oversee the others. His analysis, especially in The Spirit of the Laws, laid out how this setup protects liberty by preventing the concentration of power and providing institutional restraints.

Other Enlightenment figures contributed in important ways but not in the specific structural doctrine of separating powers. Voltaire emphasized civil liberties and critique of religious intolerance; John Locke focused on natural rights and limited government derived from a social contract; Rousseau emphasized popular sovereignty and the general will. Montesquieu’s unique contribution is the formal idea that organizing government into separate, balanced branches is essential to protecting freedom.