“The judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, as both should be checks upon that.” – John Adams
Which of the following Enlightenment ideas does John Adams support in this quote?
In this quote, John Adams expresses support for the Enlightenment idea of the separation of powers. The separation of powers is a fundamental concept in political philosophy, particularly championed by Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu. It suggests that governmental powers should be divided into separate branches to avoid the accumulation of too much power in one body.
To find Adams' support for the separation of powers in this quote, it's important to analyze the key points he makes.
First, he states that "the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive." This implies that he advocates for a clear separation between the three branches of government: the judiciary, the legislature, and the executive.
Furthermore, Adams emphasizes the importance of the judiciary being "independent upon both" the legislative and executive branches. This implies that he believes the judiciary should be autonomous and free from undue influence from the other branches.
Finally, Adams states that an independent judiciary would serve as a "check upon both" the legislative and executive branches, just as both branches should serve as checks on the judiciary. This underscores the important role the judiciary should play in preventing abuse of power and maintaining a system of checks and balances within government.
By supporting the idea of a distinct, independent judiciary that serves as a check on both the legislative and executive branches, John Adams aligns with the Enlightenment principle of the separation of powers.