American Separation of Powers Illustrated

For almost 250 years, the United States has served as a model illustration of “separation of powers” to the rest of the world. Indeed, the United States is viewed as the first country to adopt separation of powers in its government structure.  It’s an important concept. But what does separation of powers actually mean and why is it more important today than ever before?

The French philosopher Montesquieu coined the phrase, “separation of powers” in his influential essay, “The Spirit of Laws”. Montesquieu wrote: “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty.” Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws, 1748.

The US Constitution adopted Montesquieu’s insistence on the separation of the governmental powers of making, executing, and interpreting the country’s laws.