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

The principle of checks and balances is a vital mechanism within the framework of the United States government designed to ensure that no single branch – executive, legislative, or judicial – can dominate or exercise unchecked power over the others. This system requires that each branch has the ability to limit the actions of the others, thus maintaining a balance of power.

For example, the legislative branch has the power to create laws, but the president, who leads the executive branch, has the authority to veto legislation. Likewise, the judicial branch has the power to interpret laws and can declare actions by either the legislative or the executive branches unconstitutional. This intricate system creates an environment where cooperation and compromise are necessary, preventing any one branch from overstepping its authority.

In contrast, the other choices only represent specific tools or processes within the broader system of checks and balances. Veto power is a useful tool for the president but does not encompass the entire mechanism. Executive orders are directives issued by the president, which do not inherently prevent power concentration. Judicial review, while important for interpreting the constitutionality of laws, is just one aspect of how the judicial branch can check the powers of the other branches. Together, however, these elements operate within the larger framework of checks and balances to