The essence and purpose of the separation of powers in the legal state: approaches and positions

The principle of the separation of powers for several centuries is the basis of the constitutional system in most existing States. In Russia the principle, formally enshrined in the modern Constitution of 1993 as an inviolable element of the new system of government, under which power in the state is traditionally broken down into branches. In this article, the author analyses the perspective and the position of the leading practitioners and theorists of law in respect of the principle of separation of powers on the issues of its application and its efficiency. In the analysis of the principle of separation of powers, the author considers the positions of the respective constitutional courts. In the course of writing the article the main attention is paid to the explanation of the relevance and importance of the principle of separation of powers in a legal state.