Question

The system of three branches of government, the judicial, the legislative, and the executive, is representative of the idea of

a. separation of powers.
b. the bill of rights.
c. social contract theory.
d. laissez-faire.

Answer 1

Answer: a. separation of powers

Further detail/explanation:

The "Separation of Powers" principle was an idea embedded into the plans for American government by our founding fathers, based on their reading of Enlightenment political theory. The terminology "separation of powers" was introduced by Charles-Louis de Secondat, the Baron of Montesquieu. (Usually he's referred to as just "Montesquieu.") He wrote an important work of political theory called The Spirit of the Laws, published in 1748.

Within his treatment of how governments will function best, Montesquieu argued that executive, legislative, and judicial functions of government ought to be divided between parts of the government, so that no one person or division of the government can infringe on the overall rights of others in the government or of the members of the society overall.