What is the system called that prevents any one government branch from becoming too powerful?

What is the system called that prevents any one government branch from becoming too powerful?

• A. Checks and Balances
• B. Separation of Powers
• C. Federalism
• D. Popular Sovereignty

Answer: (A)

The system is checks and balances. It’s the built‑in structure that keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful by giving each branch ways to limit the others. For example, the president can veto laws, but Congress can override that veto with enough votes; the Supreme Court can strike down laws or actions as unconstitutional; and members of the other branches confirm appointments or impeachment powers help curb abuses. This arrangement keeps power from concentrating in one place. This differs from separation of powers, which is about dividing government duties among the branches in the first place. Federalism deals with power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty is the principle that the people hold ultimate authority.

The system is checks and balances. It’s the built‑in structure that keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful by giving each branch ways to limit the others. For example, the president can veto laws, but Congress can override that veto with enough votes; the Supreme Court can strike down laws or actions as unconstitutional; and members of the other branches confirm appointments or impeachment powers help curb abuses. This arrangement keeps power from concentrating in one place.

This differs from separation of powers, which is about dividing government duties among the branches in the first place. Federalism deals with power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty is the principle that the people hold ultimate authority.