What is separation of powers?

• A. The separation of church and state.
• B. The centralization of all power in one person.
• C. The division of government powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of power.
• D. The division of powers between federal and local governments.

Answer: (C)

Separation of powers means dividing government responsibilities among three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—so no single person or group controls all aspects of governance. Each branch has its own distinct role: the legislative branch makes laws, the executive enforces them, and the judiciary interprets and applies laws. This arrangement creates checks and balances, allowing the branches to oversee each other and prevent the abuse of power. The idea, rooted in Enlightenment thought, aims to protect rights and prevent tyranny.

For context, separating church and state describes a different principle about religion and government; centralizing power in one person is the opposite of this idea; and dividing powers between federal and local governments refers to federalism, not the internal distribution of powers within the national government.