Separation of Powers as Espoused by Montesquieu

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INTRODUCTION The aim of this essay is to discuss what the doctrine of separation of powers is from the three limbs under which they fall as espoused by Baron Montesquieu and the rationale for the doctrine. The essay will begin by defining the doctrine of separation of powers after which it will discuss the reasons why separation of powers should exist. DOCTRINE OF SEPARATION OF POWERS AS ESPOUSED BY BORON MONTESQUIEU Governance of a country largely depends on three organs of government namely; the legislature, executive, and the judiciary. The function of the executive is to formulate and implement policies. The legislature's main function is that of enacting laws proposed by the executive, and the judiciary has the function of interpreting laws enacted by the legislature and ensuring that the executive is executing its function in accordance with the law. The doctrine of separation of powers entails a system where each of the three organs of government work independently of one another so as to foster democracy and accountability in the course of governance. The concept of separation of powers was elevated to the rank of a grand constitutional principle by the French theorist Baron Montesquieu who argues for a strict separation of the legislature (which makes the law), the administration or executive (which governs the state), and the judiciary (who apply the law) in order to protect the liberty of the individual. Montesquieu’s main concern was with the judiciary whose independence from the legislature and executive he stressed. Montesquieu stated: When the legislature and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates there can be no liberty… again there is no liberty if the power of judging is not separated from the legislative and the executive. If it was joined with the executive the life and liberty of the subject would be
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