What system is designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful is Checks and Balances. This system establishes a framework in which each of the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—has specific powers and responsibilities. Each branch has the ability to limit the powers of the others, ensuring that no single branch can dominate or operate without oversight.

For example, the legislative branch makes laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto those laws. Additionally, the judicial branch can rule laws passed by the legislature or actions taken by the executive as unconstitutional, thereby safeguarding rights and maintaining a balance of power. This interdependence creates a dynamic where collaboration and negotiation are necessary among branches, fostering accountability.

Federalism, on the other hand, refers to the distribution of power between national and state governments—it does not specifically address the balance of power among branches within the same level of government. Judicial review is a key mechanism within the judicial branch that allows courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions, but it does not encapsulate the broader framework of interaction among all branches. Separation of powers distinctly refers to the division of government into three branches, but it is the checks and balances that actively prevent any one branch from exercising