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

The principle that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others is known as Checks and Balances. This system ensures that no single branch—executive, legislative, or judicial—can dominate or exercise unchecked power.

Checks and Balances work by providing each branch with specific authority to oversee and regulate the actions of the other branches. For instance, while the legislative branch creates laws, the executive branch has the power to veto those laws, and the judicial branch can interpret them and declare them unconstitutional. This interplay among the branches is fundamental in upholding the rule of law and maintaining a balance of power within the government.

In contrast, Separation of Powers refers more broadly to the distribution of governmental responsibilities and powers among the three branches, but it is the Checks and Balances system that specifically facilitates their ability to limit each other's powers. The other options—Federalism and Judicial Review—address different aspects of governance and law but do not directly pertain to the mechanism through which the branches interact to check one another's authority.