What prevents one branch of government from gaining too much power?

Checks and balances are a fundamental principle of governance designed to ensure that no single branch of government—executive, legislative, or judicial—can dominate or wield uncontrolled power. Each branch has specific powers and responsibilities, and mechanisms to limit the powers of the others. For instance, while the legislative branch can create laws, the executive branch has the power to veto those laws, and the judicial branch can interpret them, ensuring that a collaborative process is necessary for governance.

This system is intended to maintain equilibrium among the branches, preventing potential abuses of power that could arise if one branch gained excessive authority. By distributing power and creating a structure where branches can oversee and regulate each other's actions, checks and balances promote accountability and protect democratic principles.

Other concepts, such as majority rule, focus primarily on decision-making within groups but do not inherently prevent concentration of power. Consensus decisions aim for agreement among all members but may not address power division. Filibustering, while a tactic used primarily in legislative contexts to prolong debate, does not serve the broader purpose of maintaining equilibrium among government branches.