The concept of "separation of powers" in government is most famously associated with philosopher Montesquieu. In his 1748 work "The Spirit of the Laws," he argued that political authority should be divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. This structure was designed to prevent any single entity from gaining too much power, ensuring a system of checks and balances. Montesquieu's ideas heavily influenced the formation of modern democratic governments, including the United States Constitution, which adopted similar principles to promote liberty and limit governmental overreach.