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

The principle of Checks and Balances is designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by allowing each branch to exert some measure of control over the others. This system ensures that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches can monitor and restrain one another's actions, fostering a balance of power within the government. For example, while the legislative branch can create laws, the executive branch has the authority to veto those laws, and the judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional. This interplay encourages accountability and limits potential abuses of power, reflecting the framers' intent to safeguard democracy and individual liberties.

In contrast, Separation of Powers refers specifically to dividing the government into distinct branches, focusing on the distinct roles and responsibilities of each rather than their interaction. Federalism is about the division of power between national and state governments. Popular Sovereignty is the concept that the government’s authority is derived from the consent of the governed. While all these principles are integral to the functioning of the American government, it is Checks and Balances that specifically addresses the way branches limit each other's powers.