Final answer:
The 'separation of powers' divides the U.S. government into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial, each with its own functions and powers, fostering a system of checks and balances.
Step-by-step explanation:
To maintain a balanced system that prevents one branch of the government from becoming too powerful, the United States Constitution established a system known as the separation of powers. This method divides the functions of the government into three branches: the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Each branch has unique responsibilities and capabilities:
- The Legislative branch is responsible for making laws and is represented by Congress.
- The Executive branch implements and enforces laws and is headed by the President.
- The Judicial branch interprets and enforces laws through the judicial review process and is comprised of the court system, including the Supreme Court.
This division ensures that no single branch can operate independently of the others, creating a system of checks and balances that requires collaboration among the branches. This concept is fundamentally different from options A) Bicameralism, B) Federalism, and C) Checks and balances, making D) Separation of powers the correct answer to the question about the method that divides government functions into three branches with distinct powers and responsibilities.