Which principle divides government powers among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial?

• A. Conservative
• B. Policy agenda
• C. Pluralist democracy
• D. Separation of powers

Answer: (D)

Separation of powers divides government powers among three branches to prevent the concentration of authority and provide checks and balances. Each branch has its own role: the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces them and handles daily administration, and the judiciary interprets laws and settles disputes. This division matters because it means no single branch can unilaterally control government; each branch can constrain the others. For example, while the legislature can pass laws, the executive can veto, and the judiciary can review and strike down laws or actions that violate the Constitution. Originating in Enlightenment thought, this structure helps protect liberty by distributing power and creating accountability. Other terms describe political ideologies or processes rather than how government power is organized.