Question

baron de montesquieu
what did montesquieu believe that liberty meant?

how did the english government at that time have a separation of powers?

how does the system of checks and balances work?

Explanation:

• Montesquieu's view on liberty: Montesquieu believed that liberty was not the ability to do whatever one pleased. Instead, it was the right to do what the law allowed. He emphasized that in a free state, a person could only be arrested, tried, and punished according to the law.
• Separation of powers in the English government: Montesquieu saw the English government as having a separation of powers. The legislative power (Parliament, which had two - houses - the House of Lords and the House of Commons) made the laws. The executive power (the monarch) enforced the laws. The judicial power (the courts) interpreted the laws. Each branch had its own distinct functions and was somewhat independent of the others.
• How checks and balances work: Checks and balances is a system where each branch of government (legislative, executive, judicial) has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches. For example, the executive can veto legislation passed by the legislative branch. The legislative branch can override a veto (in some systems) and also has the power of impeachment over the executive. The judicial branch can declare laws (legislative acts) or executive actions unconstitutional, thus checking the power of the other two branches.

Answer:

• Montesquieu believed liberty was the right to do what the law allowed.
• The English government had legislative (Parliament), executive (monarch), and judicial (courts) powers separated.
• Checks and balances allow each government branch to limit others' powers (e.g., veto, impeachment, judicial review).