Separation of powers

Most modern democracies split the work of government into three separate branches. The point of splitting power is simple: no single person or group should be able to make a law, enforce it, AND judge whether it is fair, all at once. By spreading power across three branches, each one can check the others and protect citizens from abuse of power. This idea is called the separation of powers.

The Three Branches

• Legislative branch — makes the laws. Names include Congress (USA), Parliament (UK, India, Canada), the Bundestag (Germany), the Diet (Japan).
• Executive branch — carries out the laws and runs day-to-day government. The leader is usually a President or a Prime Minister.
• Judicial branch — interprets the laws and decides whether a law has been broken or is unfair. This is the system of courts and judges, with a Supreme Court or equivalent at the top.

Checks and Balances

• Each branch has powers that LIMIT the other two — this is called checks and balances.
• The executive can veto a law passed by the legislature; the legislature can override a veto with enough votes.
• The judiciary can strike down a law (or an action of the executive) if it conflicts with the constitution — this is called judicial review.
• The legislature usually has the power to approve major appointments and budgets, and in serious cases can remove a leader through impeachment.

USA vs UK: Two Models

• United States (presidential system) — strict separation. The President is elected separately from Congress, and the President is NOT a member of Congress. The Supreme Court is fully independent.
• United Kingdom (parliamentary system) — looser separation. The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in the House of Commons, so the executive comes FROM the legislature. The judiciary is still independent.
• Both systems try to prevent the abuse of power, but they organize the relationship between the branches differently.