What type of government framework prohibits one branch from exercising excessive power over the others?

The concept of Separation of Powers is fundamental to the structure of government in the United States, including Virginia. This framework is designed to ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—can dominate or overreach its authority over the others. Rather than consolidating power, this system divides responsibilities among the branches, allowing each to operate independently and maintain a system of checks and balances.

For example, the legislative branch creates laws, the executive branch enforces those laws, and the judicial branch interprets and applies them. This separation not only helps prevent tyranny and abuse of power but also encourages collaboration and accountability among the branches.

In contrast, a unitary government centralizes power in a single authority, which could lead to unchecked power. An oligarchy, where a small group holds control, does not align with the democratic principles of power distribution. Similarly, a confederation may represent a union of sovereign states but typically lacks the robust framework of checks and balances found in a government structured around the principle of Separation of Powers.