Question

question 10 of 20
read the following passage written by charles de montesquieu. which idea expressed during the american and french revolutions does this passage represent?

again, there is no liberty, if the judiciary power be not
separated from the legislative and executive. were it joined
with the legislative, the life and liberty of the subject would
be exposed to arbitrary control; for the judge would be then
the legislator. were it joined to the executive power, the
judge might behave with violence and oppression.

1. charles de montesquieu, the spirit of laws, vol. 1, rev. ed., trans. thomas nugent (the colonial press, 1899), 159-160, https://archive.org/details/spiritoflaws01montuoft.

○ a. separation of powers
○ b. popular sovereignty
○ c. social contract
○ d. natural rights

Explanation:

The passage by Montesquieu emphasizes the need for the judiciary to be separate from the legislative and executive powers. If they are joined, negative consequences (arbitrary control, violence/oppression) occur. This aligns with the "separation of powers" idea, where government powers are divided. Popular sovereignty focuses on people's rule, social contract on an agreement for governance, and natural rights on inherent rights—none match as closely as separation of powers.

Answer:

A. Separation of powers