What system is used to ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful?

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Study for the Alabama Civics Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions that include hints and explanations. Get ready to excel on your exam!

The system designed to ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful is known as Checks and Balances. This framework allows each branch of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—to have specific powers and responsibilities that can regulate and constrain the actions of the other branches. For instance, while the legislative branch creates laws, the executive branch has the power to veto those laws, and the judicial branch can overturn laws deemed unconstitutional. This interconnected system fosters accountability and helps maintain a balance of power, preventing any single branch from dominating the government.

In contrast, Separation of Powers refers to dividing government responsibilities among different branches, but it is Checks and Balances that provides the specific mechanisms to limit power. Federalism pertains to the division of powers between national and state governments, while Judicial Review is the process by which courts assess the constitutionality of laws. These concepts support the overall structure of governance, but it is the Checks and Balances system that specifically addresses the prevention of power concentration within any one branch.