What constitutional principle ensures that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government can limit each other’s powers?

The correct answer is the principle of Checks and Balances, which is a foundational concept embedded in the Constitution of the United States. This principle establishes a system where each branch of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—has the ability to monitor and restrain the other branches. This design is intended to prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power or authority, ensuring a balance among them.

Checks and Balances operates through various mechanisms. For example, the executive branch can veto legislation proposed by the legislative branch, while the judicial branch has the authority to review laws and can declare them unconstitutional. In turn, the legislative branch has the power to confirm or reject judicial appointments made by the executive and can also impeach members of both the executive and judicial branches. This interplay fosters accountability and responsiveness in government, safeguarding democratic principles and the rule of law.

While Separation of Powers is also a relevant concept, it specifically refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches. Federalism refers to the division of power between the national and state governments. The term Checks on Government is less formal and does not specifically capture the established constitutional framework designed to maintain balance among the branches. Thus, Checks and Balances is the correct concept that articulates how the branches