What concept is reflected by the separation of powers?

The concept of separation of powers is fundamentally about the distribution of authority among the three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This division is intended to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that each has its own responsibilities and functions.

Option A highlights the power shared between the legislative and executive branches, which is a key aspect of the separation of powers. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, while the executive branch is tasked with enforcing those laws. This delineation of responsibilities not only creates a balanced distribution of power but also establishes a system in which each branch can oversee and limit the powers of the others, fostering accountability and preventing tyranny.

In this context, options like power divided between state and national governments or checks and balances, while related concepts in the broader framework of governance, do not directly encapsulate the core idea of separation of powers as clearly as the relationship between the legislative and executive branches. Judicial review pertains to the judiciary’s authority to interpret laws and assess their constitutionality, but again this is more of a specific function rather than a foundational principle of separation itself.