What are the safeguards related to the separation of powers?

• A. All branches share all powers
• B. Judiciary controls all
• C. Each branch has powers and duties; one branch cannot exercise another; checks and balances exist
• D. Executive controls legislative budget

Answer: (C)

The safeguards related to separation of powers mean government duties are divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with each branch having its own powers and responsibilities. The essential idea is that one branch cannot exercise the powers of another, and a system of checks and balances exists to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful.

In practice, this means the legislature makes laws, the executive enforces them, and the judiciary interprets them. The checks and balances give each branch ways to limit the others: legislatures can pass or override laws (within constitutional limits) and can impeach or remove officials; the judiciary can review laws and executive actions for constitutionality; the executive has veto power and appointment influence subject to other branches’ checks. This structure prevents the concentration of power and maintains accountability.

Options claiming that all branches share all powers or that the judiciary controls everything don’t fit this framework, and the idea that the executive controls the legislative budget also goes against the principle of legislative control over appropriations in a separation-of-powers system.