What does the term "separation of powers" imply?

The term "separation of powers" refers specifically to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This doctrine is fundamental to the structure of the U.S. government as established by the Constitution. Each branch has its own responsibilities and powers, which are designed to operate independently of one another. This division aims to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power and to create a system of checks and balances, where each branch can monitor and limit the actions of the others.

While the other options list concepts related to governance, they do not accurately capture the essence of "separation of powers." For instance, the delegation of power from federal to state governments refers to federalism rather than the separation of powers. Collaboration between branches does occur, but it does not define the separation itself. Lastly, the judicial branch's authority over state laws involves specific judicial review powers, which stem from legal interpretations rather than the foundational concept of separation of powers.