Which principle ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful?

Checks and balances is the principle that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the authority to limit the powers of the others. This system was designed by the framers of the Constitution to prevent any one branch—executive, legislative, or judicial—from gaining excessive power and potentially leading to tyranny. For example, while Congress has the power to make laws, the President can veto legislation, and the courts can declare laws unconstitutional. This interplay requires cooperation and oversight among the branches, ensuring a balance of power that protects the rights of citizens and maintains the integrity of the government.

In contrast, separation of powers refers specifically to the division of government responsibilities among the three branches, while popular sovereignty emphasizes the authority of the people in governing themselves. Federalism involves the distribution of power between the national and state governments. While all these concepts are integral to the functioning of the U.S. government, it is the checks and balances that directly uphold the principle of limiting governmental power across branches.