What are the three branches of government and their general roles as described?

• A. Executive branch (treaties and executive orders); Legislative branch (constitutions, statutes, and administrative regulations and decisions); Judicial branch (cases).
• B. Executive branch (enforces) only; Legislative branch (creates) only; Judicial branch (interprets) only.
• C. Executive branch (appoints officers); Legislative branch (conducts elections); Judicial branch (enforces regulations).
• D. All branches perform all functions.

Answer: (A)

Separation of powers assigns three branches with distinct duties: the executive conducts relations with other states and carries out laws, the legislature makes the rules and framework of government, and the judiciary resolves disputes and interprets laws. The description that assigns the executive to handle treaties and executive orders, the legislature to produce constitutions, statutes, and administrative regulations and decisions, and the judiciary to decide cases fits this structure by aligning each branch with its typical functions. Treating the executive as only enforcing misses its treaty and directive roles; suggesting the legislature conducts elections or the judiciary enforces regulations misstates who does those tasks; and claiming all branches perform all functions ignores the clear division of powers.