Separation of powers

[Franconicus]

Separation of powers is an idea of Montesquieu (if memory serves). Executive, judicial and legislative should be independant from each other. This is one of the fundaments of democracy.

Looking at the situation in my country I see two problems: The institutions are seperated. But the people of the executive and legislative are under control of political parties.

Motesquieu also forgot the media, which are a strong power today. Most are privat and there is a big problem with monopoles. If you have one you can easily manipulate the people.

What do you think? What is the situation in your country?

[Sjakihata]

In denmark, it's pretty much like this:

Legislative = Politicians/parliament
Judical = courts
Executive = police, military, firefighters etc

in the US, however, I think the judical is interfering with the legislative part, which, in my humble opinion, is highly undemocratic.

[Franconicus]

Isn't executive politicians too? They should control the police?

[lars573]

The executive branch of the goverment is the part that runs the nation. So in any nation where the parlimentry leader is also the person who runs the nation has no seperation between the executive and legislative branches of the government. Countries like my own (Canada), Germany, Denmark, Britain and Sweden all have no seperation between the executive and legislative branches of their government. The judicial branch is however very seperate in all those examples.