Here’s a concise list of sources and philosophical foundations for the principle "Macht braucht Kontrolle" ("Power requires control"):

Historical and Philosophical Sources

1. Montesquieu (1689–1755)

   • The Spirit of the Laws: Advocates for the separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

2. John Locke (1632–1704)

   • Two Treatises of Government: Emphasizes government accountability to the people.

3. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)

   • Perpetual Peace: Stresses the need for laws and institutions to regulate authority and maintain justice.

4. Lord Acton (1834–1902)

   • Famous dictum: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Legal and Political Foundations

5. Magna Carta (1215)

   • Early document limiting monarchic power and establishing the rule of law.

6. Constitutional Democracies

   • Modern constitutions (e.g., U.S., Germany) institutionalize checks and balances.

7. The Rule of Law

   • Legal principle stating that no one is above the law, ensuring accountability.

Modern Contexts

8. United Nations Charter (1945)

   • Framework for regulating power among nations to promote peace and security.

9. Transparency International

   • Advocates for accountability and transparency to combat corruption.

10. Human Rights Frameworks

    • Systems like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) emphasize protecting individuals from abuses of power.