What term describes the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches?

The term that describes the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches is "Separation of Powers." This concept is foundational to many democratic governments, particularly in the United States, where it refers to the division of government into three main branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Each branch has its own responsibilities, powers, and functions, which helps to prevent the concentration of power in any single entity or branch, ensuring a system of governance that promotes checks and balances among them.

The legislative branch creates laws, the executive branch enforces them, and the judicial branch interprets them. This framework is designed to provide a system of governance that is fair, accountable, and responsive to the public while also safeguarding individual liberties against potential abuses of power by the government.

The other terms listed serve different concepts within government structure and operation. Checks and balances ensure that each branch has some measure of influence over the other branches and may choose to block procedures of the other branches, but it is a mechanism that operates within the framework established by the separation of powers. Federalism refers to the division of power between national and regional governments and does not specifically address the internal structure of government. Popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by