Which system prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The system that prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful is checks and balances. This concept is a fundamental principle of the United States government, designed to ensure that each of the three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—can limit the powers of the others. By having mechanisms in place that allow each branch to monitor and restrict the activities of the others, the checks and balances system promotes accountability and prevents any one branch from dominating the government.

For example, the legislative branch (Congress) has the power to create laws, but the executive branch (the President) can veto those laws. The judicial branch (the courts) can declare laws unconstitutional, checking the powers of both the legislative and executive branches. This interplay ensures that all branches must work together and that no single branch can unilaterally exert excessive power over the government.

Other concepts like federalism, judicial review, and the separation of powers are also important in understanding government structure, but they address different aspects of how government functions and organizes power. Federalism pertains to the division of powers between the national and state governments. Judicial review refers to the courts' ability to determine the constitutionality of laws, while separation of powers delineates the distinct functions of the three branches themselves