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Why are the three powers separated in a democracy?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: So that one person does not hold all the powers. The separation of powers is a fundamental principle of the 1789 Declaration. Under the absolute monarchy, one person controlled all the powers. The 1789 Declaration rejects this. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Présentation des principaux textes (1/3) : La Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du.
Sources: Sheet “Présentation des principaux textes (1/3) : La Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ So that the President keeps all the powerPour que le président garde tout le pouvoirThis is not the right answer: the sheet mentions the separation of powers, which one person controlled under the absolute monarchy.
- ✗ So that judges make the lawsPour que les juges fassent les loisThis is not the correct answer: the correct answer is not to let one person hold all the powers.
- ✗ So that citizens no longer votePour que les citoyens ne votent plusThis option does not match the sheet: all citizens have the right to take part in making the law.
- ✓ So that one person does not hold all the powersPour qu'une seule personne n'ait pas tous les pouvoirsCorrect answer. The separation of powers is a fundamental principle of the 1789 Declaration. Under the absolute monarchy, one person controlled all the powers. The 1789 Declaration rejects this.
What the source says
« la séparation des pouvoirs (contrôlés par une même personne sous la monarchie absolue) »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Pourquoi sépare-t-on les trois pouvoirs dans une démocratie ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR). The Ministry's wording: “Pourquoi séparer les trois pouvoirs dans une démocratie ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
All 50 “Institutions and politics” questions on the CR list
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