Final answer:
The principle known as checks and balances ensures that no one individual or branch of government holds absolute power. It involves each branch of government having some influence over the others to prevent any single branch from becoming too dominant. The separation of powers further divides government authority among three branches, promoting cooperation and preventing excessive power concentration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principle that ensures no one individual or group has absolute power within the government is known as checks and balances. This system is a foundational element of the U.S. Constitution and ensures that each branch of the government (executive, legislative, and judicial) has some measure of influence over the others, which prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful. According to James Madison in Federalist # 51, the powers of each branch of government are structured so that each has checks over the power of the others, with the people holding the ultimate authority.
In addition to checks and balances, the separation of powers plays a crucial role in maintaining a balance of power within the federal government. The government is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has its own unique powers and responsibilities but also has the ability to restrain the powers of the other branches. This system of separated institutions sharing powers encourages the branches to cooperate in order to govern effectively.