Final answer:
The United States government is divided into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial, which are designed to operate with a system of checks and balances, according to the principle of Separation of Powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three Branches of the U.S. Government
The United States is characterized by a governmental structure that divides power among three distinct branches to ensure a system of checks and balances. These branches are: the Legislative (comprised of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the role of making laws), the Executive (led by the President and supported by the Cabinet, and responsible for implementing and executing laws), and the Judicial (consisting of the Supreme Court and lower courts, with the duty of interpreting laws and enforcing the legal system via judicial review).
The Separation of Powers is a fundamental concept in the U.S. political system, designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Each branch operates independently but requires the cooperation and checks from the other branches to function effectively, creating a balanced federal system of governance with a clear division of responsibilities.