Which Enlightenment thinker is known for advocating the separation of powers in government?

• A. John Locke
• B. Thomas Hobbes
• C. Montesquieu
• D. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer: (C)

Montesquieu is recognized for his influential concept of the separation of powers within government. In his seminal work, "The Spirit of the Laws," he argued that a government should be divided into different branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power and to safeguard individual liberties. This idea was revolutionary at the time and significantly influenced the development of modern democratic systems, particularly in the formation of the United States Constitution, which reflects this principle by establishing distinct powers and responsibilities for each branch of government. Montesquieu's advocacy for checks and balances remains a foundational concept in political philosophy and governance today.