Separation of Powers

1. The separation of powers constitutes one of the most important principles of a contemporary liberal democracy and the rule of law. It requires the allocation of governmental authority to separate institutions consisting of, at least in principle, separate individuals. Each institution may then serve as a check on the actions of the other institutions. However, the meaning of this principle is ambiguous and, as a result of various theoretical and dogmatic approaches, may be understood in various ways. It must also be noted that the idea of the independence of...