Question

reading sitting 2
go back
passage 1
informational: this passage is adapted from the spirit of laws by montesquieu, first published in 1748.
1 the political liberty of the subject is a tranquillity of mind arising from the opinion each person has of his safety. in order to have this liberty, the government must be so framed that one citizen shall not be afraid of another.
2 when legislative power is united with executive power in a single person or body, liberty cannot exist. a ruler who both makes the laws and enforces them may easily enact tyrannical laws. again, there is no liberty if the judicial power is not separated from the legislative and executive. if it were joined with the legislative, the life and liberty of the subject would be exposed to arbitrary control, for the judge would then be the legislator. if it were joined with the executive, the judge might behave violently as an
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the passage as a whole can best be described as an argument that:
○ liberty is best preserved by concentrating authority in a single ruler.
○ freedom depends on the careful separation and balance of governmental powers.
○ monarchies and aristocracies naturally protect liberty through custom and rank.
○ democracy always creates disorder and oppression.

Explanation:

The passage discusses the separation of governmental powers (legislative, executive, judicial) to preserve liberty, matching the option about freedom depending on the separation and balance of governmental powers. Other options are incorrect: the passage argues against concentrating authority (so first option is wrong), there's no mention of monarchies/aristocracies protecting liberty (third option), and no claim that democracy creates disorder (fourth option).

Answer:

freedom depends on the careful separation and balance of governmental powers.