Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio
I once read a more compelling historical argument that our three branches of government were modeled after the prevailing church structures of the time. The best features of the Congregationalist, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches steered the formation of congress, the judiciary, and the executive branches.
I tend to believe that church ecclesiology had a little more impact on our founding fathers than Greek and Roman cultures.
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Sorry due to time restraints I didn't mention a few steps. On the separation of powers the Founders were most influenced by the French political philosopher of the Enlightenment era Montesquieu and especially his work
The Spirit of Laws who in turn was influenced by the Greek Polybius who did a history on the Roman Republic. Most of the Founders were well acquainted with Montesquieu's work and Madison in the
Federalist Papers said this: "The oracle who is always consulted and cited on this subject, is the celebrated Montesquieu."