In addition, the original idea of checks and balances was a European idea that had roots in the enlightenment period. Political philosophers such as Locke and Rousseau had ideas that related to this proposal. Further, the idea of representative democracy as a method of establishing these checks and balances is something that is a pivotal component to the federalist paper, mostly because it helps understand how the different branches of government will be put into place. We also see this idea of checks in balances in other countries, prior to the establishment of this system in the United States. This suggests that the idea of the political separation of powers and of checks and balances in government that was implemented in the United States is a universal concept that is concrete in political theory. The inclusion of this theory in Federalist 51 is merely a reiteration of a sentiment that was already present on an international scale.