U.S. Citizenship Civics TestSystem of GovernmentMedium
A new citizen is learning about how the U.S. government prevents any single part from gaining too much power. Which principle describes the system where each branch can limit the actions of the others?
- ADue Process
- BPopular Sovereignty
- CChecks and Balances
- DFederalism
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Checks and Balances
The principle of Checks and Balances is fundamental to the U.S. government, ensuring that no single branch becomes overly dominant by giving each branch specific powers to limit the others.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Due Process protects individual rights in legal proceedings, not the balance of power between branches.
- B. Popular Sovereignty means the government's power comes from the people, not how branches limit each other.
- D. Federalism is the division of power between the federal and state governments, not between the branches.
Checks and Balances
A system in the U.S. government where each branch (legislative, executive, judicial) has some measure of influence over the other branches and may choose to block procedures or actions of the other branches.
- Prevents abuse of power.
- Maintains separation of powers.
- Examples: presidential veto, judicial review, congressional impeachment.
Memory trick: Checks balance power, like a scale of justice.