Which principle of governance is most directly associated with limiting government power by distributing authority across branches?

Which principle of governance is most directly associated with limiting government power by distributing authority across branches?

• A. Federalism
• B. Separation of powers
• C. Checks and balances
• D. Popular sovereignty

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how government power is allocated across different parts of the system. Separation of powers divides the government into distinct branches with assigned duties—legislative makes laws, executive enforces them, and judicial interprets them. This separation prevents any one branch from gaining too much power and creates built-in limits as each branch operates independently and interdependently. The arrangement is designed to keep power from concentrating in a single institution, which is precisely how limits on government power are achieved. While checks and balances are related and help prevent abuse by letting branches monitor one another, the core concept described is the distribution of authority across branches. Federalism deals with power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty centers on the people’s authority, not the internal division of powers.

The main idea here is how government power is allocated across different parts of the system. Separation of powers divides the government into distinct branches with assigned duties—legislative makes laws, executive enforces them, and judicial interprets them. This separation prevents any one branch from gaining too much power and creates built-in limits as each branch operates independently and interdependently. The arrangement is designed to keep power from concentrating in a single institution, which is precisely how limits on government power are achieved. While checks and balances are related and help prevent abuse by letting branches monitor one another, the core concept described is the distribution of authority across branches. Federalism deals with power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty centers on the people’s authority, not the internal division of powers.