separation of powers definition examples

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🏛️ Definition: The separation of powers is a doctrine that divides governmental authority among different branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
• ⚖️ Legislative Branch (Congress): Makes laws. Example: Passing the Affordable Care Act.
• 💼 Executive Branch (President): Enforces laws. Example: The President issuing an executive order.
• 🧑‍⚖️ Judicial Branch (Supreme Court): Interprets laws. Example: Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison.
• 🛡️ Checks and Balances: Each branch has the power to limit the actions of the other two branches. Example: The President can veto legislation passed by Congress, but Congress can override the veto.
• 📝 Purpose: To safeguard against tyranny and promote limited government.

Practice Quiz

1. Which branch of the U.S. government is responsible for making laws?
   1. Executive
   2. Judicial
   3. Legislative
   4. Administrative
2. Which of the following is an example of the executive branch in action?
   1. The Supreme Court hearing a case
   2. Congress passing a bill
   3. The President negotiating a treaty
   4. A state legislature drafting a budget
3. What is the main function of the judicial branch?
   1. Enforcing laws
   2. Interpreting laws
   3. Making laws
   4. Administering laws
4. The power of the President to veto a bill passed by Congress is an example of:
   1. Separation of powers
   2. Federalism
   3. Checks and balances
   4. Judicial review
5. Which Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review?
   1. Miranda v. Arizona
   2. Brown v. Board of Education
   3. Marbury v. Madison
   4. Gideon v. Wainwright
6. What is the primary purpose of the separation of powers?
   1. To make government more efficient
   2. To prevent tyranny and promote limited government
   3. To centralize government authority
   4. To create a more powerful executive branch
7. If Congress passes a law that the President believes is unconstitutional, what action can the President take?
   1. The President can amend the law directly.
   2. The President can ignore the law and refuse to enforce it.
   3. The President can veto the law.
   4. The President can appeal directly to the Supreme Court for a ruling before the law takes effect.