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Separation of Powers - Constitution of the United Kingdom  Separation of Powers The concept of separation of powers is of great antiquity and can be attributed to Aristotle (384-322 BC); however, the clearest exposition of the doctrine can be found in Montesquieu 's De L' Espirit des Lois 1748.The essence of the doctrine of separation of powers is that there should be, a clear demarcation in function between the legislature, executive and judiciary in order that none should have excessive power and there should be in place a system of checks and balances between the institutions. The doctrine does not emphasis that there should be three institutions of the government each operating in isolation from each other. Indeed such an arrangement would be unworkable. If constitutional arrangements within a state are considered, a range of possibilities exists:  i. absolute power residing in one person or body exercising executive, legislative and judicial powers: no separation of power