Final answer:
The Federalist Papers' authors envisioned separate branches of government that cooperated through checks and balances, preventing any one branch from overpowering the others and ensuring a balanced government. The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The authors of the Federalist Papers envisioned the separate branches of the government interacting with one another through a system of checks and balances that essentially encouraged collaboration and cooperation.
While each branch had distinct powers and responsibilities, they could not operate independently without the cooperation of the others.
For instance, the executive branch can veto legislation, but Congress can override a veto. This interdependence ensures that no one branch becomes too dominant, effectively preventing tyranny.