What was executive power in the Age of Enlightenment?

During the Age of Enlightenment, executive power referred to the authority and responsibility of governing bodies or leaders to enforce laws and administer public policy. Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers, arguing that executive authority should be distinct from legislative and judicial powers to prevent tyranny. This period emphasized reason, individual rights, and the idea that government should serve the people, influencing modern democratic systems. The goal was to create a government that was accountable, transparent, and limited in its powers.