Which philosopher is known for advocating the concept of checks and balances in government?

Montesquieu is recognized for advocating the concept of checks and balances within government. In his seminal work "The Spirit of the Laws," Montesquieu analyzed various forms of government and proposed that the powers of government should be divided into distinct branches—typically, the legislative, executive, and judicial. This division is intended to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that each branch can check the actions of the others, thereby promoting a balance of power. This idea significantly influenced the development of modern democratic systems, notably the structure of the United States government, where checks and balances are a fundamental feature.

In contrast, while John Locke emphasized the importance of natural rights and government by consent, and Thomas Hobbes focused on strong centralized authority to maintain order, neither proposed a formalized system of checks and balances. Jean-Jacques Rousseau, on the other hand, discussed the concept of the social contract and the general will but did not specifically address checks and balances in governance as Montesquieu did.