<P> Montesquieu argues that each Power should only exercise its own functions, it was quite explicit here: </P> <P> When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner . </P> <P> 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 . </P> <P> There would be an end of every thing, were the same man, or the same body, whether of the nobles or of the people, to exercise those three powers, that of enacting laws, that of executing the public resolutions, and of trying the causes of individuals . </P>

Public administrative theory and the separation of powers summary