What system was established to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

• A. Checks and balances
• B. Separation of powers
• C. Federalism
• D. Judicial review

Answer: (A)

The system established to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful is known as checks and balances. This concept is integral to the structure of the U.S. government as outlined in the Constitution. It allows each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—to monitor and limit the functions of the others. For instance, while the legislative branch can create laws, the executive branch has the power to veto those laws, and the judicial branch can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional. This interplay ensures that power is distributed and that no single branch can operate without accountability, thereby protecting against tyranny.

The other choices encompass related ideas but do not specifically address the mechanism of limiting power among branches. Separation of powers refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches, which is foundational for establishing checks and balances but does not itself create the oversight necessary to avoid concentration of power. Federalism describes the division of authority between national and state governments, while judicial review is the process by which courts interpret the constitutionality of laws, a function tied to the judicial branch but not a comprehensive system for preventing the dominance of one branch over another.