Which Enlightenment thinker argued that power should be a check on power and advocated for separation of governmental powers?

The Enlightenment thinker who argued that power should be a check on power and advocated for the separation of governmental powers is Montesquieu. In his influential work "The Spirit of the Laws," he proposed that the best way to prevent tyranny and preserve liberty was to divide government into distinct branches—executive, legislative, and judicial. Montesquieu believed that each branch should have its own responsibilities and powers, which would create a system of checks and balances. This structure would ensure that no single entity or group could dominate the government, thereby protecting individual freedoms and rights.

By contrasting his ideas with those of other Enlightenment thinkers, such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Hobbes, it becomes clearer why Montesquieu's contributions stand out. Voltaire focused primarily on civil liberties, including freedom of speech and religion, rather than the structure of government itself. Rousseau emphasized the social contract and the general will of the people, advocating for direct democracy rather than a separation of powers. Hobbes, on the other hand, believed in a strong, centralized authority as essential for maintaining order in society, which runs counter to the idea of separating powers to prevent oppression. Through his advocacy for a balanced government structure, Montesquieu laid the foundations for modern