Political vocabulary & government processes · Article 3 of 20 · United States
Separation of powers
Legislative, executive and judicial responsibilities.
What the term means
The federal government divides lawmaking, execution and adjudication among Congress, the president and federal courts. These branches are separate but interact through appointments, appropriations, vetoes and judicial review.
How it works in practice
Separation does not mean complete isolation. Congress writes laws and controls appropriations; executive agencies administer them; courts resolve cases and controversies within their jurisdiction.
A concrete example
A new safety standard may depend on a statute passed by Congress, a regulation issued by an agency and later a court challenge to the agency’s authority.
What to examine next
An institution can be influential without having unlimited power; identify the specific authority it is using.
Next: Representation.