Which constitutional principle describes the allocation of different government powers to distinct branches to prevent concentration of authority?

• A. Checks and Balances
• B. Federalism
• C. Separation of Powers
• D. Popular sovereignty

Answer: (C)

Separation of powers is the idea that government powers are divided among separate branches so no single group holds all authority. The Constitution assigns different duties to each branch—making laws in the legislative branch, enforcing laws in the executive branch, and interpreting laws in the judicial branch—so power is dispersed. This arrangement helps prevent the concentration of authority and guards against tyranny by requiring different branches to cooperate and check one another. By comparison, checks and balances describes how those branches limit each other’s power, federalism deals with power division between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty is the principle that the people hold ultimate authority. The description in the question best matches Separation of Powers.