What constitutional principle was influenced by Montesquieu?

The correct answer is the separation of powers, which is a fundamental principle that plays a crucial role in modern democratic governance. This principle was influenced by the writings of Montesquieu, a French political philosopher, who emphasized the importance of dividing government authority into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Montesquieu argued that political liberty is best maintained when power is distributed across different entities, specifically the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. By ensuring that these branches operate independently, with distinct responsibilities and checks on one another, the risk of tyranny can be mitigated. This framework was later reflected in the United States Constitution, where the separation of powers became a foundational aspect of the government structure.

While checks and balances is closely related to the idea of separation of powers, it specifically refers to the mechanisms that allow each branch to limit the powers of the others and ensure that no one branch dominates. Federalism involves the division of power between national and state governments, which is a separate concept. Judicial independence refers to the autonomy of the judiciary from other branches of government, but it fits within the broader scope of separation of powers as well.