There are three branches of government. Why?
Accepted answers
- So one part does not become too powerful
- Checks and balances
- Separation of powers
Explanation
Checks and balances means each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches. For example, the President can veto a law, but Congress can override that veto. No single branch can control everything.
On the 2008 test
On the 2008 test this question was asked as:
What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
with these accepted answers:
- Checks and balances
- Separation of powers
Source: USCIS 2025 Civics Test — 128 Questions and Answers (PDF).
Last verified against USCIS on .