Question

use the excerpt to answer the question that follows.
to what expedient then shall we finally resort to maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? the only answer that can be given is... by so contriving the interior structure of the government, as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places.
-james madison, federalist no. 51, 1788
what best explains how the idea expressed in this excerpt is reflected in the united states government?
the constitution can be changed through an amendment process to stop tyranny
the constitution divides power between branches to check and control tyranny
the constitution gives power to the people to avoid tyranny by voting
the constitution allows for civil liberties to check a tyrannical government

Explanation:

The excerpt emphasizes maintaining the partition of power among departments through their mutual relations. In the U.S. government, the Constitution divides power into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial). Each branch has checks on the others. For example, the president (executive) can veto legislation (legislative), but Congress can override the veto. The judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional. This system of separation of powers with checks and balances (dividing power between branches to check each other) aligns with the idea in the excerpt.

• The first option about amending the Constitution is about changing the document, not the power - partition mechanism described.
• The third option about people voting is more about popular sovereignty and elections rather than the internal power - sharing and checks among government branches.
• The fourth option about civil liberties is about individual rights, not the structural power - sharing among government parts.

Answer:

The Constitution divides power between branches to check and control tyranny.