Which principle ensures that government authority is divided across different branches in a democracy?

The principle that ensures government authority is divided across different branches in a democracy is known as the separation of powers. This concept is fundamental in democratic systems as it aims to prevent the concentration of power in any single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial. By having distinct branches, each with its own set of responsibilities and powers, checks and balances are established. This structure helps to safeguard against abuse of power and promotes accountability, as each branch can oversee and limit the actions of the others.

Political pluralism refers to the existence of multiple groups and perspectives in a political system, but it does not specifically address the division of authority within government. Constitutional monarchy relates to a political system where a monarch's powers are limited by a constitution, but it does not inherently establish a separation of powers in the same way as in a presidential or parliamentary democracy. Electoral supremacy emphasizes the authority of elected officials and the electoral process but does not focus on the structure of government itself.