Wikinventia — Atlas of discoveries and inventions · Exploration Age

Functional distinction of powers and subordination of the executive — John Locke

1689 AD · Transmission: Global
LawLegalBritish

In chapters 12-13 of the Second Treatise of the Two Treatises of Government (1689), Locke distinguishes legislative, executive, and federative power, arguing legislative and executive should not rest in the same hands, with the executive subordinate to and removable by the legislative. This is a functional distinction, not a demand for three fully separate institutions — Locke does not include the judiciary as a distinct branch. Still, executive subordination to the legislature is the practical seed of limited parliamentarism.

Historical regionKingdom of England
Primary sourceJohn Locke, Two Treatises of Government, Second Treatise, chapters 12-13 (London, 1689)
Secondary sourceSparkNotes, LitCharts, GradeSaver; Wikipedia (Separation of powers)
Original languageEnglish
View this entry in the interactive atlas → View in graph →