Final answer:
The three basic powers of government are legislative, executive, and judicial power. Each branch has distinct functions and responsibilities that ensure a system of checks and balances in a democratic government like that of the United States, where sovereign power is ultimately held by the citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three basic powers of government are legislative power, executive power, and judicial power. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws, a power that includes the authority to introduce and pass legislation. The executive branch, led by figures such as the President in the United States, carries out policies and ensures that laws are executed. Finally, the judicial branch interprets laws, ensuring they adhere to the constitution and adjudicating disputes in accordance with the law.
Sovereign power, as mentioned in the context of political power, is the ultimate authority in a political system and is not ruled by another entity. In a democracy, this power rests with the citizens. The highest form of political power, as stated earlier, is sovereign power, which can be seen as the freedom of the nation or state to govern itself. This power in democracies is often vested in the citizens as a whole.
Constitutions in federal systems like that of the United States formally allocate executive, legislative, and judicial authority to ensure that each level of government retains autonomy from the others. The division of power among these branches helps maintain a system of checks and balances within the government.