How should the brain of the body politic, that is, the Legislature, be connected with the hand, that is, the Executive?
Obviously, so argued all French political thinkers, the two functions were distinct and must be kept separate.

The results of this theory of the separation of powers were clearly traceable in the course of the Revolution.

When the hand had been left almost powerless, as in 1791-2, owing to democratic jealousy of the royal Ministry, the result had been anarchy.

The supreme needs of the State in the agonies of 1793 had rendered the hand omnipotent: the Convention, that is, the brain, was for some time powerless before its own instrument, the two secret committees.

Experience now showed that the brain must exercise a general control over the hand, without unduly hampering its actions.