Name a key principle of the U.S. Constitution.

Name a key principle of the U.S. Constitution.

• A. Monarchy
• B. Feudalism
• C. Communism
• D. Separation of powers

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is separation of powers. The Constitution divides government into three branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—each with its own responsibilities. This arrangement keeps any one part of government from gaining too much power and creates checks and balances, so one branch can limit the actions of the others. For example, laws are made by Congress, the President enforces them, and the courts interpret them; the President can veto legislation, Congress can override a veto with enough votes, and courts can strike down laws that conflict with the Constitution. This setup reflects the framers’ aim to prevent tyranny and to keep government accountable. The other terms describe different systems of rule or economic organization that don’t capture how the Constitution distributes power: monarchy centers authority in a king, feudalism is a medieval hierarchy of lords and vassals, and communism is an economic/political ideology about ownership and class.