Divided, in the context of government, refers to the concept of separating powers and responsibilities among different branches or entities to prevent concentration of power.
Related terms
Separation of Powers: This principle divides governmental powers among three separate branches - legislative, executive, and judicial - to ensure a system of checks and balances.
Checks and Balances: This refers to mechanisms within a government system that allow each branch to monitor and limit the actions of the other branches, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful.
Federalism: The division of powers between a central (federal) government and regional (state) governments, which helps prevent excessive concentration of power at either level.