What mechanism prevents one branch of the U.S. government from gaining too much power?

The correct answer, checks and balances, is a fundamental principle of the U.S. government designed to ensure that no single branch—executive, legislative, or judicial—can dominate the others or operate without restraint. This system allows each branch to monitor and limit the functions of the other branches, promoting accountability and preventing the abuse of power.

For instance, the legislative branch has the power to make laws, but the executive branch can veto legislation, and the judicial branch can rule laws unconstitutional. This interconnection means that each branch must work collaboratively and cannot act unilaterally. The intention behind checks and balances is to maintain a balance of power and uphold democratic governance.

The other options, such as separation of powers, refer to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches but do not encapsulate the dynamic interplay between those branches. Direct democracy and majority rule pertain more to decision-making processes rather than the structure that restrains governmental power.