What principle prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The principle that prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful is checks and balances. This system is designed to ensure that each of the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—has the ability to limit the powers of the others. By implementing checks and balances, the framers of the Constitution aimed to prevent any one branch from dominating the government, thereby protecting individual freedoms and maintaining a balanced government structure.

For example, while the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch has the power to veto those laws, and the judicial branch has the authority to interpret laws and can declare them unconstitutional. This interplay ensures that power is distributed and that no single branch can act unilaterally without the oversight or input from the others.

Separation of powers, while related, focuses on the distinct roles and responsibilities assigned to each branch, rather than the mechanisms by which they can check one another’s power. Popular sovereignty emphasizes the authority of the government coming from the consent of the governed, and federalism refers to the division of power between national and state governments. Each of these concepts contributes to the structure of the government, but it is the checks and balances that specifically address the concern of preventing any one branch from gaining excessive power.