Which constitutional principle aims to limit government power by distributing authority across branches?

Which constitutional principle aims to limit government power by distributing authority across branches?

• A. Federalism
• B. Judicial review
• C. Checks and balances
• D. Due process

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is checks and balances: the government is purposely divided into three branches, each with its own powers and a built‑in system to restrain the others. This structure prevents any one part of government from becoming too powerful by giving the others the tools to limit or override its actions. For example, laws passed by the legislature can be vetoed by the President, and that veto can be overridden by enough legislative votes. The Senate has a say in approving presidential appointments and treaties, while the judiciary can review laws and executive actions to determine if they fit the Constitution. Impeachment and removal provide a mechanism to discipline leaders who abuse power. While judicial review is a powerful way courts limit government action, the overarching arrangement that distributes power across branches is the idea of checks and balances. Federalism, by contrast, deals with national versus state power, and due process centers on fair legal procedures rather than how power is divided.

The idea being tested is checks and balances: the government is purposely divided into three branches, each with its own powers and a built‑in system to restrain the others. This structure prevents any one part of government from becoming too powerful by giving the others the tools to limit or override its actions. For example, laws passed by the legislature can be vetoed by the President, and that veto can be overridden by enough legislative votes. The Senate has a say in approving presidential appointments and treaties, while the judiciary can review laws and executive actions to determine if they fit the Constitution. Impeachment and removal provide a mechanism to discipline leaders who abuse power. While judicial review is a powerful way courts limit government action, the overarching arrangement that distributes power across branches is the idea of checks and balances. Federalism, by contrast, deals with national versus state power, and due process centers on fair legal procedures rather than how power is divided.