Which constitutional concept limits the power of government by allowing each branch to limit the others?

• A. Federalism
• B. Checks and Balances
• C. Separation of Powers
• D. Republicanism

Answer: (B)

Checks and balances means each branch of government has powers to limit the others, so no single branch can dominate. This idea is built into the Constitution through things like the president vetoing laws, Congress potentially overriding a veto, and the Senate confirming presidential appointments. The judiciary can also strike down laws or actions it finds unconstitutional, and it can interpret laws to resolve disputes between branches. These interlocking checks keep power distributed and prevent overreach.

Federalism isn’t about branches checking each other; it’s about balancing power between national and state governments. Separation of powers describes dividing government into three branches, but the idea of each branch actively limiting the others is specifically captured by checks and balances. Republicanism focuses on representation and consent of the governed rather than the intra-governmental checks among branches.