Which concept describes the dispersion of powers across separate branches to prevent tyranny?

• A. Checks and balances
• B. Federalism
• C. Popular sovereignty
• D. Unitary government

Answer: (A)

Dispersing power across separate branches to prevent tyranny is the idea of checks and balances, a cornerstone of the separation of powers. By giving each branch distinct roles and the means to limit the others, the system keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful. For example, the legislature makes laws, the president can veto them, and Congress can override a veto; the judiciary can strike down laws or executive actions as unconstitutional; and judges are appointed in a way that requires cross-branch consent. This setup creates accountability and helps guard against tyranny by ensuring liberty is protected through constant oversight among branches. Federalism, popular sovereignty, and a unitary system describe other ways power is distributed, but the checks and balances arrangement specifically describes how the branches restrain each other.