Which principle states that the executive, judicial, and legislative branches have checks and balances over each other?

• A. Checks and balances
• B. Separation of powers
• C. Federalism
• D. Popular sovereignty

Answer: (A)

Checks and balances is the mechanism that ensures no single branch can dominate by giving each branch the ability to limit the others. For example, the president can veto laws, but Congress can override that veto; the judiciary can strike down laws or executive actions as unconstitutional; and judges are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate, creating a system of mutual oversight. This setup preserves a balance where each branch keeps the others in check.

Separation of powers describes the broad idea of distributing governmental functions among the three branches, but it’s the checks and balances that defines how they actively constrain one another. Federalism concerns the division of power between national and state governments, and popular sovereignty is the principle that the people hold ultimate authority.