Separation of Powers

Separation of powers prevents one person or group from controlling everything.

The Three Arms

• Legislature — makes laws and controls public funds.
• Executive — implements laws and manages public affairs.
• Judiciary — interprets laws and settles disputes.

Checks and Balances

Each arm limits the others. The legislature can reject a bill or override a veto; the executive appoints judges subject to confirmation; the judiciary can declare a law unconstitutional.

Why It Matters

Concentrating power invites abuse. Separation of powers protects liberty and forces government to justify its actions.

Practice

1. Name the three arms of government and one function of each.
2. Give one example of a check by the judiciary on the legislature.
3. Why can separation of powers be difficult to maintain in practice?

Recap

Legislature, executive and judiciary have separate functions and check each other to prevent abuse of power.