The Emergence of the Doctrine of Separation of Powers by Montesquieu

Abstract

The question of the separation of the powers first arose with John Locke, but the great classic
of the theory that still has an impact today is not Locke but Montesquieu, who developed
Locke’s theory further and rethought it in the light of the need to solve contemporary social and
political problems. Montesquieu formulated his doctrine of the separation of powers in his 1748
work De l’esprit des lois. The aim of this study is to go beyond Montesquieu’s concept and to
illustrate the most important influences on the French philosopher. The third part of the study
summarises the theories concerning Montesquieu’s influence on the United States of America.