What system prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The system that prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful is known as checks and balances. This framework is integral to the structure of the government as outlined in the U.S. Constitution, where the three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—have distinct powers and responsibilities that can limit the powers of the others.

For example, while the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch has the power to veto legislation, and the judicial branch can rule laws unconstitutional. This interaction creates a balance where no single branch can operate with unchecked authority, promoting a system of mutual oversight. Each branch can exercise control over the others, ensuring that power is distributed and that the rights of citizens are protected from the potential tyranny of any one branch gaining too much influence.

The other options refer to different concepts: direct democracy involves citizens voting directly on legislation; popular sovereignty is the principle that the authority of the government is created and maintained by the consent of its people; and federalism is the distribution of power between a central government and regional governments. However, these concepts do not specifically address the mechanism of limiting governmental power in the context of separate branches.