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Single Idea 20506

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 3. Government / a. Government ]

Full Idea

The Federalists took the idea of 'separation of powers' from Locke and Montesquieu. This places the legislative, executive and judicial functions in independent hands, so that in theory any branch of government would be checked by the other two.

Gist of Idea

'Separation of powers' allows legislative, executive and judicial functions to monitor one another

Source

Jonathan Wolff (An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev) [2006], 3 'Representative')

Book Ref

Wolff,Jonathan: 'An Introduction to Political Philosophy (Rev)' [OUP 2006], p.96

A Reaction

[The American Federalist writers of 1787-8 were Madison, Hamilton and Jay] This is a brilliant idea. An interesting further element that has been added to it is the monitoring by a free press, presumably because the other three were negligent.

The 32 ideas from Jonathan Wolff

20487 A realistic and less utopian anarchism looks increasingly like liberal democracy [Wolff,J]
20488 It is hard for anarchists to deny that we need experts [Wolff,J]
20489 Human beings can never really flourish in a long-term state of nature [Wolff,J]
20483 Collective rationality is individuals doing their best, assuming others all do the same [Wolff,J]
20492 Following some laws is not a moral matter; trivial traffic rules, for example [Wolff,J]
20490 For utilitarians, consent to the state is irrelevant, if it produces more happiness [Wolff,J]
20493 Social contract theory has the attracton of including everyone, and being voluntary [Wolff,J]
20494 Maybe voting in elections is a grant of legitimacy to the winners [Wolff,J]
20510 A system of democracy which includes both freedom and equality is almost impossible [Wolff,J]
20511 Democracy expresses equal respect (which explains why criminals forfeit the vote) [Wolff,J]
20502 Democracy has been seen as consistent with many types of inequality [Wolff,J]
20496 A true democracy could not tolerate slavery, exploitation or colonialism [Wolff,J]
20497 How can dictators advance the interests of the people, if they don't consult them about interests? [Wolff,J]
20503 Political equality is not much use without social equality [Wolff,J]
20509 Occasional defeat is acceptable, but a minority that is continually defeated is a problem [Wolff,J]
20506 'Separation of powers' allows legislative, executive and judicial functions to monitor one another [Wolff,J]
20500 We can see the 'general will' as what is in the general interest [Wolff,J]
20498 We should decide whether voting is for self-interests, or for the common good [Wolff,J]
20499 Condorcet proved that sensible voting leads to an emphatically right answer [Wolff,J]
20513 If natural rights are axiomatic, there is then no way we can defend them [Wolff,J]
20512 Standard rights: life, free speech, assembly, movement, vote, stand (plus shelter, food, health?) [Wolff,J]
20514 If rights are natural, rather than inferred, how do we know which rights we have? [Wolff,J]
20518 Liberty principles can't justify laws against duelling, incest between siblings and euthanasia [Wolff,J]
20526 Utilitarians argue for equal distribution because of diminishing utility of repetition [Wolff,J]
20528 Difference Principle: all inequalities should be in favour of the disadvantaged [Wolff,J]
20529 Utilitarianism probably implies a free market plus welfare [Wolff,J]
20530 Political choice can be by utility, or maximin, or maximax [Wolff,J]
20524 Market prices indicate shortages and gluts, and where the profits are to be made [Wolff,J]
20522 Utilitarians might say property ownership encourages the best use of the land [Wolff,J]
20531 Either Difference allows unequal liberty, or Liberty makes implementing Difference impossible [Wolff,J]
20534 Rights and justice are only the last resorts of a society, something to fall back on [Wolff,J]
20532 Should love be the first virtue of a society, as it is of the family? [Wolff,J]