What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The correct answer is checks and balances, which is a fundamental principle in the U.S. government designed to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. The system operates by allowing each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—to have some measure of influence over the other branches, thus creating a system of mutual oversight and limiting the powers that any one branch can exercise.

For example, while the legislative branch has the power to create laws, the executive branch can veto legislation, and the judicial branch has the authority to interpret those laws and rule on their constitutionality. This interplay ensures that power is distributed and that each branch can check the authority of the others, thereby maintaining a balance of power and preventing the concentration of authority in any single branch.

Separation of powers, while also a key principle, refers more specifically to the division of government responsibilities among the three branches. Although it is crucial for establishing distinct functions, it is the checks and balances that actively prevent one branch from becoming dominant over the others. Constitutional amendments and judicial review are important mechanisms in the governance system but are not the primary means by which powers are checked and balanced among the branches.