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

The correct answer is checks and balances, which is a fundamental principle embedded in the U.S. Constitution designed to ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—can dominate the others. This system creates a framework where each branch has specific powers and can limit the actions of the other branches, thereby promoting a balance of power among them. For example, the legislative branch has the authority to make laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto those laws. Meanwhile, the judicial branch can interpret laws and assess their constitutionality, providing a check on the legislative and executive actions.

This mechanism is crucial for maintaining a democratic government and safeguarding against the potential abuse of power, ensuring that all branches work collaboratively while still being held accountable to one another. The other options listed do not directly address the distribution and limitation of powers among government branches in the same way checks and balances do.