What does the principle of separation of powers mean?

• A. The division of government into three branches with separate powers
• B. The concentration of power in the executive
• C. The equal power of states and federal government
• D. The supremacy of the judiciary

Answer: (A)

The principle being tested is that government power is divided among three branches, each with its own distinct responsibilities. In this setup, the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces them, and the judiciary interprets laws. By separating these powers, no single part of government can control everything, and each branch watches the others through checks and balances. This structure helps prevent the concentration of power and keeps the government accountable while still allowing cooperation to govern effectively.

Why this is the best choice: it directly describes dividing government into three branches with separate powers, which is exactly what separation of powers means.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: concentrating power in the executive would defeat the purpose of distributing authority; federalism refers to dividing power between national and state governments, not among the branches; and supremacy of the judiciary would imply one branch has final control over all government action, which isn’t what separation of powers aims for.