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Separation of Powers
The separation of powers is the principle of political philosophy and constitutionalism that distributes governmental power among branches to limit power and secure liberty, and to promote good government through a division of labor. Its familiar form distinguishes legislative, executive, and judicial branches in liberal democracies. It is related to other Western constitutional principles, including the mixed regime, balanced constitution, and checks and balances. Separation of powers defines presidential more than parliamentary systems, because the former separate legislative and executive powers while the latter fuse them. However, separation is important even in parliamentary constitutions, which typically include a judiciary and agencies or civil service bodies independent of parliament and cabinet. The view that justice requires prevention of the concentration of power, security for individual and ...
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