What concept did Montesquieu advocate for in his writings?

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Montesquieu is best known for advocating the concept of checks and balances in government, particularly through his influential work "The Spirit of the Laws." He argued that political power should not be concentrated in a single entity but should rather be divided among different branches of government—typically the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This division of power, along with a system of checks and balances, ensures that no single branch can dominate or abuse its authority. Montesquieu believed that such a framework would protect liberty and prevent tyranny, making it a foundational concept for modern democratic systems. This notion has had a lasting impact on the development of constitutional design in various nations, emphasizing the importance of limiting government power to safeguard individual freedoms.

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