Here is how to match each idea with the correct principle of government:
Federalism: divides the powers of government between central and state governments.
- Federalism is the principle under which a country is divided into states, and each state is given certain authority. It is because of this form of government that there are reserved (state power), concurrent (power shared by the state and central government) and exclusive powers (central government power).
Separation of powers: divides the powers of government into different branches.
- The government is divided into three branches. The executive branch which is headed by the President who is the head of state. The legislative branch which includes Congress and is in charge of making laws. The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court, this branch is in charge of verifying the enforcement of the laws.
Checks and balances: each branch of government has certain powers that prevents the abuse of power on the people.
- Each branch, the legislative, the executive and the judicial branches have powers over each other. This is why the creation and enforcement of a law tends to take a long time. For instance, congress can propose a law but the president has the power to veto the law. That is just one example of how checks and balances work in the government.