Separation of Powers
3. Separation of Powers: executive, legislative, and judicial
branches of the government are three independent and coequal branches of
government.
Separation of powers means that the government is separated into three separate and destinct branches. The Constitution of the United States separates these three branches into the executive (President), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court) branches.
This concept makes sure that the three branches of government do not have too much power, but instead share the power. The form of separation of powers is associated with the system of checks and balances.
Examples of Separation of Powers: The Legislative Branch makes and passes laws. The Judicial Branch interprets the laws. The House and Senate may pass a law even if the President vetoes it by overriding it with a 2/3 vote from both houses. If The House and Senate pass a law, the President signs it, but the Supreme Court decides it is unconstitutional, they can strike down the law. The President nominates judges for the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Senate must approve the judge nominated before they can serve.
The Separation of Powers in the United States has created a stronger government, yet it has limited the powers of that government.
This concept makes sure that the three branches of government do not have too much power, but instead share the power. The form of separation of powers is associated with the system of checks and balances.
Examples of Separation of Powers: The Legislative Branch makes and passes laws. The Judicial Branch interprets the laws. The House and Senate may pass a law even if the President vetoes it by overriding it with a 2/3 vote from both houses. If The House and Senate pass a law, the President signs it, but the Supreme Court decides it is unconstitutional, they can strike down the law. The President nominates judges for the Supreme Court, and the U.S. Senate must approve the judge nominated before they can serve.
The Separation of Powers in the United States has created a stronger government, yet it has limited the powers of that government.