What is the Meaning of Separation of Powers?
The framers of the Constitution separated the powers of government into three branches, granting legislative power (the power to pass laws) to Congress in Article 1 of the Constitution. The Constitution granted executive power (the power to administer the laws) to the president in Article 2 and judicial power (the power to interpret and enforce the laws) to the courts in Article 3. The framers believed that this separation of powers would ensure that no one person or group of persons would be able to create, administer, and enforce the laws at the same time. Each branch of government would be a check on the power of the other two branches. In some instances, two branches of government are required to work together. For example, the Senate must approve the president’s appointments to the Supreme Court. The president has the power to veto acts of Congress or to pardon convicted criminals and Congress can impeach the President and federal court justices and judges. Although the system of
