Separation of Powers — UPSC Prelims PYQ 2021
Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?
- A committed judiciary
- Centralization of powers
- Elected government
- Separation of powers
Explanation
Option (d) is correct
- In a liberal democracy, the separation of powers among the legislature, executive, and judiciary acts as a key safeguard for individual liberty. This principle allocates legislative, executive, and judicial responsibilities to distinct branches, enabling them to act as checks on one another to prevent arbitrary government actions. By keeping these branches from overstepping their boundaries, the separation of powers maintains a system of checks and balances.
Answer: (a) Separation of powers; Difficulty Level: Medium
