Which principle allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others?

The principle of checks and balances is fundamental to the structure of the U.S. government as established by the Constitution. This principle is designed to ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—becomes too powerful. Each branch has specific powers that can be used to check or limit the activities and powers of the other branches. For example, the legislative branch can create laws, but the executive branch has the power to veto those laws. Conversely, the judicial branch can review laws to determine their constitutionality. This interplay among the branches helps maintain a balance of power, preventing any one branch from dominating the governance of the country.

The other choices represent important concepts in the functioning of the government, but they do not specifically refer to the mechanism of limiting the powers of each branch. Separation of powers is related in that it divides the functions of government among the different branches, while federalism refers to the distribution of power between the national and state governments. Judicial review pertains to the courts' power to evaluate the legality of legislative acts and executive actions but does not encompass the full scope of checks and balances across branches.