MEGA Elementary Education Multi-Content Practice Test 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

One of the primary objectives of incorporating popular sovereignty, federalism, and checks and balances into the U.S. Constitution was to limit the powers of government. Popular sovereignty ensures that the authority of the government is derived from the consent of the governed, meaning that the people have ultimate control over their government. This prevents any one individual or group from wielding excessive power.

Federalism establishes a division of power between the national and state governments, further dispersing authority and reducing the risk of tyranny. By allowing multiple levels of government to coexist, it empowers various entities to have autonomy while ensuring that no single entity becomes overwhelmingly powerful.

Checks and balances are embedded in the structure of government to allow each branch—executive, legislative, and judicial—to limit the powers of the others. This system is designed to prevent abuse of power and ensure that power is balanced among the branches, fostering accountability.

The combination of these principles ultimately promotes a government that operates within its limits and respects the rights of individuals and states, safeguarding against the concentration of power that could lead to oppression.