What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The concept that prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful is known as the separation of powers. This principle is foundational to the U.S. government structure, which divides the responsibilities and powers among three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has its own unique responsibilities and powers, ensuring that no single branch can dominate or control the government unchecked.

For example, the legislative branch creates laws, the executive branch enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws. This structure not only delineates the functions of each branch but also provides a system of checks and balances. Each branch has the authority to monitor and limit the actions of the others, thereby balancing power and preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful.

In contrast, the other options do not encompass the same mechanism for distributing power. Federal authority refers to the powers granted to the national government, popular vote pertains to electoral processes, and judicial review involves the courts' ability to interpret laws and declare them unconstitutional. While these elements play important roles in governance, they do not serve the specific purpose of maintaining an equilibrium among the branches of government in the same way that the separation of powers does.