What term describes the division of governmental powers to prevent any single entity from having too much control?

The term that best describes the division of governmental powers to prevent any single entity from having too much control is "Separation of powers." This concept is foundational to the structure of the U.S. government, which divides responsibilities among three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has distinct functions and powers, preventing any one branch from becoming dominant.

This division promotes a system of governance where power is checked and balanced among the branches, allowing for a more equitable distribution of authority and enabling each branch to monitor and limit the actions of the others. This framework is essential to maintaining a democratic system and protecting individual liberties, ensuring that power is not concentrated in one area, which can lead to tyranny or abuse.

In contrast, while "checks and balances" refers to the mechanisms that allow each branch to oversee and restrict the powers of the others, the term "federalism" relates specifically to the division of powers between the national and state governments. "Judicial review" refers to the judiciary's power to interpret the Constitution and invalidate laws or actions that conflict with it, but it does not specifically address the overall structure of government power distribution. Thus, the separation of powers is the most accurate term for this concept.