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Public Administration vocabulary · Government Structure

Separation of powers

Meaning in public administration, with examples

nounCommon term

In public administration, separation of powers means: The principle that state power is divided between separate legislative, executive and judicial branches so that no single body holds all authority.

In Turkish: kuvvetler ayrılığı, erkler ayrılığı

How it is used

Associated with the French thinker Montesquieu and found in many constitutions. Often paired with checks and balances, the ways each branch can limit the others. Used in constitutional law, political science and civics teaching.

Example sentences

  1. Under the separation of powers, courts can review decisions made by the administration.

  2. The first lecture explains the separation of powers and the idea of checks and balances.

Common collocations

  • principle of separation of powers
  • checks and balances
  • strict separation of powers
  • executive branchThe part of the state that carries out laws and runs the government day to day, led by the president or prime minister together with the ministers and the administration under them.
  • administrative lawThe branch of law that governs how public bodies are organized, how they make decisions and how citizens can challenge those decisions in court.
  • jurisdictionThe official power to make decisions or enforce rules in a particular area, subject or territory; also the area within which that power applies.
  • accountabilityThe duty of public bodies and officials to explain and justify their decisions and use of resources, and to accept responsibility, including sanctions, when things go wrong.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Government Structure

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