What prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

The principle of checks and balances is fundamental to the structure of the United States government, including that of Kentucky. This system ensures that no single branch—be it the legislative, executive, or judicial—can operate independently or wield excessive power. Each branch has specific powers that can be used to limit the authority of the others. For example, the legislature can create laws, but the executive has the power to veto those laws. Conversely, the judiciary can review laws and executive actions to determine their constitutionality. This interplay of authority is designed to prevent the concentration of power, thereby protecting democratic governance and individual liberties.

In contrast, judicial review refers specifically to the judiciary's ability to interpret laws and assess their alignment with the Constitution and does not encompass the entire system of checks and balances. Direct democracy focuses on citizens voting directly on laws rather than through representatives, which does not pertain directly to balancing powers among branches. Constitutional amendments pertain to changing the Constitution itself and do not directly prevent power consolidation among the branches of government.