Which principle is enforced by the checks and balances system established in the Constitution?

The checks and balances system is fundamentally rooted in the principle of separation of powers, which is a cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution. This principle divides governmental authority among three distinct branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. Each branch has its own specific functions and powers, allowing them to operate independently while also ensuring that none can overpower the others.

The system of checks and balances is designed to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful. By giving each branch the ability to monitor and limit the actions of the others—such as how the legislative branch can create laws that may be vetoed by the executive branch or challenged in court by the judicial branch—the Constitution promotes a balanced governmental structure. This system enhances accountability and protects individual liberties by creating multiple avenues for scrutiny and oversight.

Other principles, while vital in the context of the Constitution, do not solely define the checks and balances approach. Popular sovereignty refers to the idea that government power derives from the consent of the governed. Judicial review allows courts to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions, which is an essential function but does not encompass the overarching framework of checks and balances. Federalism deals with the distribution of power between the national and state governments but is separate from the internal dynamics of authority