Complete 7 page APA formatted essay: Historical Developement of Separation of Powers.
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In 17th century England, it emerged for the first time as a coherent theory of government, explicitly set out, and urged as the ‘grand secret of liberty and good government'” (Vile, M.J.C.. 1967. Chapter 2). In the upheaval of the Civil War, the doctrine emerged as a response to the need for a new constitutional theory when a system of government based upon “a mixture of King, Lords, and Commons” seemed no longer relevant. “Growing out of the more ancient theory, the doctrine became both a rival to it and a means of broadening and developing it into the 18th century theory of the balanced constitution” (Vile, M.J.C.. 1967. Chapter 2). The revolutionary potentialities of the doctrine were fully realized in America and France, but when its viability as a theory of government was tested “its weaknesses were revealed. this one revolutionary idea could also become a bulwark of conservatism.” (Vile, M.J.C.. 1967. Chapter 2)