Question

as an enlightenment thinker, the baron de montesquieu is most well known for his ideas about how government power should be organized. he claimed that governments should divide up power into three branches, or groups. this idea became known as \separation of powers.\ with a separation of powers, no one person or group controls all parts of a government. each branch has separate duties and equal amounts of power. read the following summarized passage from montesquieus book that describes why separation of powers is needed. then answer the question below. when the power to make and enforce laws are united in the same person, or in the same governing group, there can be no liberty. there is also no liberty if the courts powers are not separated from the power to make and enforce laws. if the courts powers were joined with the law - making powers, the freedoms and rights of the people would be in danger. if they were joined with those who enforced the law, the courts might behave with violence and cruelty. what reasons does montesquieu give to support separating out the powers of government? select the two that apply. with a division of power, kings couldnt be questioned by the people. peoples freedoms can be taken away when one group holds all the power. without a separation, the courts could abuse their power. society would become weak once government powers were separated.

Explanation:

Montesquieu argues that when one group has all power, people's freedoms are at risk and courts may abuse power. Separation of powers prevents this. The idea that separation weakens society or that it protects kings from being questioned is not in line with his reasoning.

Answer:

B. People's freedoms can be taken away when one group holds all the power.
C. Without a separation, the courts could abuse their power.