Who is known for the concept of checks and balances?

The concept of checks and balances is most famously associated with Montesquieu, a French political philosopher. In his work "The Spirit of the Laws," Montesquieu argued for the separation of powers within government as a way to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. He believed that by dividing governmental authority into separate branches—namely the executive, legislative, and judicial—each branch could check the others and maintain balance. This principle has greatly influenced modern democratic governments, particularly in the formation of the United States Constitution, where the aim was to ensure that power is not concentrated in any single entity.

Other philosophers mentioned, such as Thomas Hobbes, Rousseau, and Voltaire, focused on different aspects of governance and society. Hobbes largely emphasized a strong, centralized authority in his work "Leviathan," advocating for absolute sovereignty to maintain social order. Rousseau centered his ideas around the social contract and the collective will of the people rather than institutional checks. Voltaire is best known for his advocacy of civil liberties, freedom of speech, and criticism of organized religion, but he did not develop the concept of checks and balances in governance.