Which philosopher is best attributed with America's idea of separation of powers?
John Locke
Baron de Montesquieu
Baron de Montesquieu is best attributed with America's idea of separation of powers. He advocated for the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government in his influential work "The Spirit of the Laws." This idea heavily influenced the framers of the United States Constitution. While John Locke's ideas of natural rights and limited government were also influential to the American founders, it was Montesquieu's concept of separation of powers that directly informed the structure of the American government.
Baron de Montesquieu is best attributed with America's idea of separation of powers.
The philosopher who is most often credited with influencing America's idea of separation of powers is Baron de Montesquieu. To arrive at this answer, one can examine the historical context of the American founding and the ideas that influenced the framers of the United States Constitution.
During the Enlightenment period, philosophers like John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu developed theories about government and the balance of power. John Locke's ideas on individual rights and limited government were influential to the American Revolution and the formation of the United States. His concept of separation of powers argued for a division of government functions into separate branches that would act as checks and balances on one another.
However, it was Baron de Montesquieu's book, "The Spirit of the Laws," published in 1748, that had a more direct impact on the idea of separation of powers in America. Montesquieu expanded on Locke's ideas and proposed a system of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches. He argued that dividing power in this way would prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and potentially abusing its authority.
The framers of the United States Constitution, such as James Madison and Benjamin Franklin, were heavily influenced by Montesquieu's work. They incorporated his concept of separation of powers into the structure of the U.S. government, with the executive branch (headed by the president), the legislative branch (Congress), and the judicial branch (Supreme Court).
In summary, while John Locke's ideas influenced the broader concepts of individual rights and limited government in America, it was Baron de Montesquieu's specific proposal of separation of powers that had a more significant impact on shaping the structure of the U.S. government.