The Olmec people created art as a way to give power to the spirits and their spirit ruler. Art was considered sacred work that gained power as more time and energy was spent making it. Clay and stone were often Olmec artists' materials of choice. The changes the artists made to the clay and stone were symbolic of the metamorphosis of the spirit into a different being. For example, when clay was formed into ceramics it became meaningful. After the ceramic vessels were baked, the Olmec believed the ceramics had the power and life to enable the tribe's spiritual leaders to change into other spirits. According to the excerpt, which of these does clay and stone represent in Olmec art?
A.
fire
B.
spirits
C.
ceramics
D.
change

formulating the initial idea for the policy

answer is c.

separation of powers, therefore, refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.   the intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.  

the traditional characterizations of the powers of the branches of american government are:

* the legislative branch is responsible for enacting the laws of the state and appropriating the money necessary to operate the government.

* the executive branch is responsible for implementing and administering the public policy enacted and funded by the legislative branch.

* the judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the constitution and laws and applying their interpretations to controversies brought before it.

forty state constitutions specify that government be divided into three branches:   legislative, executive and judicial.   california illustrates this approach; "the powers of state government are legislative, executive, and judicial.   persons charged with the exercise of one power may not exercise either of the others except as permitted by this constitution."

while separation of powers is key to the workings of american government, no democratic system exists with an absolute separation of powers or an absolute lack of separation of powers. governmental powers and responsibilities intentionally overlap; they are too complex and interrelated to be neatly compartmentalized. as a result, there is an inherent measure of competition and conflict

minnesota:   minnesota house research,   separation of powers: when statutes and court rules conflict, 2005