Separation of powers ensures:

Separation of powers ensures:

• A. One branch controls all authority
• B. States control federal decisions
• C. Power is divided among branches
• D. Military controls government

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is that government power is distributed across separate branches to prevent concentration of authority and to create checks and balances. This division means each branch has its own responsibilities—legislative makes laws, the executive enforces them, and the judiciary interprets them—and each can limit the others’ actions. For example, laws passed by the legislature can be vetoed by the executive and can be reviewed by the courts, while officials and judges can be held accountable through procedures like impeachment or judicial review. This structure helps safeguard liberty and ensures decisions are tempered by oversight rather than rushed or unchecked. The other ideas miss the point: concentrating power in one branch threatens tyranny, the notion that states control federal decisions reflects federalism rather than separation of powers, and military control ignores the civilian, branch-based distribution of authority.

The main idea being tested is that government power is distributed across separate branches to prevent concentration of authority and to create checks and balances. This division means each branch has its own responsibilities—legislative makes laws, the executive enforces them, and the judiciary interprets them—and each can limit the others’ actions. For example, laws passed by the legislature can be vetoed by the executive and can be reviewed by the courts, while officials and judges can be held accountable through procedures like impeachment or judicial review. This structure helps safeguard liberty and ensures decisions are tempered by oversight rather than rushed or unchecked. The other ideas miss the point: concentrating power in one branch threatens tyranny, the notion that states control federal decisions reflects federalism rather than separation of powers, and military control ignores the civilian, branch-based distribution of authority.