What mechanism prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The mechanism that prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful is checks and balances. This system is integral to the structure of the United States government as outlined in the Constitution. It ensures that each of the three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—has specific powers and responsibilities, while also possessing the ability to regulate the powers of the other branches.

For example, the legislative branch has the power to make laws, but the executive branch can veto legislation. Conversely, the judicial branch has the authority to interpret laws and can declare them unconstitutional, thereby nullifying the actions of both the legislative and executive branches if they overstep their authority. This interaction creates a balance of power and serves as a safeguard against the concentration of power in any single branch.

Separation of duties is related to checks and balances but does not encompass the full mechanism. Judicial review is a specific power of the judiciary rather than a broad governing principle like checks and balances. Constitutional amendments allow for changes to the Constitution itself but do not directly address the distribution of power among government branches.