What principle does the Constitution establish to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The principle that prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful is checks and balances. This system is integral to the Constitution and ensures that each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—has the ability to limit the powers of the others. This framework is designed to prevent any one branch from exerting too much control, thus maintaining a balance of power within the government.

For instance, while the legislative branch makes laws, the executive has the power to veto those laws, and the judiciary can interpret and rule on their constitutionality. Each branch has mechanisms to oversee and constrain the others, promoting accountability and preventing abuse of power. This design reflects the founders' desire to create a government that would not allow tyranny or dictatorship to emerge, ensuring that the rights and freedoms of citizens are protected.

Other principles, like federalism, popular sovereignty, and judicial review, serve important functions in the governance structure but do not specifically address the checks on power between branches of government the way checks and balances do. Federalism relates to the distribution of power between national and state governments. Popular sovereignty emphasizes that the government's power comes from the consent of the governed. Judicial review refers to the ability of courts to evaluate laws and actions for their constitutionality, but it operates