Which term describes the principle of government accountability through the division of powers?

The term that best describes the principle of government accountability through the division of powers is "separation of powers." This concept refers to the distribution of government responsibilities into distinct branches, typically the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each branch has its own set of powers and responsibilities, which helps to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

By clearly delineating these powers, the separation of powers creates a system where each branch can operate independently while also being held accountable to the others. This structure is fundamental in ensuring that laws are made, enforced, and interpreted in a manner that reflects a balanced approach to governance. It promotes accountability by establishing a framework where the actions of one branch can be checked by the other branches, thereby safeguarding against tyranny and abuse of power.

The other concepts mentioned, such as checks and balances, federalism, and democracy, while related to government structure and accountability, do not specifically define the principle of dividing powers among branches of government like the separation of powers does. Checks and balances refer more to the mechanisms in place to ensure that each branch can limit the powers of the others, federalism relates to the division of powers between national and state governments, and democracy encompasses broader principles of popular sovereignty and citizen participation in government