Critically examine the doctrine of the separation of powers, with particular references to its constitutional and practical importance.

The answer to the first question can be given if we create a parallel with economics. The division of powers can be compared to the division of labor. If we produce cars – it is obvious that five masters each doing his own job while constructing one car will create more cars per day than if the same workers were creating his own car each. The separation of powers achieves better results than a single power holder, the difference from labor – is that it is hard to measure the effectiveness of branches. Mainly because of the fact that their product is the order in the country. That is the probable explanation of the popularity of the concept due to higher effectiveness.

Meanwhile we are saying that separation of power is present in almost every country – the manner in which it does – is quite different. To compare and contrast let us take the constitutions of the Russian Federation and of the United States of America. The first thing that is similar – is that three types of branches are present and that they are the same: executive, legislative and judicial. However from that point the differences start to appear. The primary fact that is different are the names of the bodies, for instance, in Russian Federation legislature is represented by the Federal Assembly, while in United States of America it is the Congress. In spite of having different names they possess a very alike characteristics of their duties, moreover both are bicameral. So as we can see in spite of seeming different the bodies in different countries control quite same spheres of influence. Situation is similar for other branches (executive and judicial) of power in USA and RF.

While examining the application of separation of powers in practice – it is impossible to leave the constitutional importance. Furthermore it is possible to say that even the branches of power are eventually called independent – they are inevitably interrelated – the one would not exist without two others and its true for any branch – whether it is executive, judicial or legislative power. Each constitution provides links between powers. The biggest link is the president of the country. He or she controls all branches; hence constructing such order that all government bodies – representatives of every branch would cooperate, but not operating in different or even opposite directions. Hence the constitutional importance of the concept of separation of powers is also present.

As a conclusion it is important to say that it is possible to be sure for almost a hundred per cent that without the idea of separation of powers – the present situation, the society, even the whole world would be very different. And probably the difference would be with negative sign. Violating the separation of powers would cause disorder inside each country, therefore in the relations and foreign policies also. So probably it appears possible to conclude it will not be possible to cope without the concept of separation of powers.