The division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches is called?

• A. Checks and balances
• B. Separation of powers
• C. Federalism
• D. Limited government

Answer: (B)

The idea here is separation of powers: government authority is divided into three branches—legislative to make laws, executive to enforce them, and judicial to interpret them—so no single part has all the power. This structure helps prevent the concentration of power and protects liberty by ensuring each branch has its own responsibilities.

Other terms describe related concepts but not the division itself. Checks and balances refers to how the branches limit each other’s power, not just how power is divided. Federalism is about distributing power between national and state governments. Limited government is the principle that government power is restricted by law and the people's rights.