Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Powers, separation of
(2,503 words)

1. Concept

The concept of separation of powers was an invention to counter the abuse of power. As such, it has been one of the most influential organizational principles of the modern state, chiefly in the western cultural sphere. In essence, the separation of powers is a system that constrains and balances state power by coordinating and dividing basic functions of state among various organs, in order to moder…

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Pállinger, Zoltán Tibor, “Powers, separation of”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 21 March 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_020173>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20210107



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