What principle ensures that no single government branch becomes too powerful?

The correct answer emphasizes the separation of powers as a foundational principle of the United States government. This principle divides the responsibilities and powers of government into three distinct branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Each branch has its own unique functions and powers, which helps prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power or authority.

By clearly delineating the roles of each branch, the framers of the Constitution aimed to create a system where the branches could operate independently yet work collectively towards the governance of the country. This division ensures that the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch enforces them, and the judicial branch interprets them, creating a balance that protects against tyranny.

In contrast, checks and balances, while related, reference the specific mechanisms that each branch can use to limit the powers of the others, further promoting this balance. Federalism is about the division of power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty refers to the authority of the people to govern themselves. While these concepts are significant in the overall structure of American governance, they do not directly address the distribution of power among the branches in the same manner as separation of powers does.