Which principle limits the powers of each governmental branch by providing checks on one another?

The principle that limits the powers of each governmental branch by providing checks on one another is known as Checks and Balances. This system ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch the authority to monitor and limit the actions of the others. For example, the executive branch can veto legislation, the legislative branch can impeach the president, and the judicial branch can rule laws unconstitutional. This interplay prevents any single branch from wielding excessive power and maintains a balance within the government, encouraging accountability and transparency in governance.

In contrast, Separation of Powers establishes distinct executive, legislative, and judicial branches, but does not inherently provide the mechanisms of oversight that characterize Checks and Balances. Federalism refers to the division of power between federal and state governments, rather than among branches of the same government. Popular Sovereignty relates to the notion that the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the role of the people in a democracy. Each of these other principles plays a critical role in American governance but does not directly entail the mutual oversight found in Checks and Balances.