What system did the framers of the Constitution implement to prevent tyranny?

The framers of the Constitution implemented a system of separation of powers to prevent tyranny by dividing the government into three distinct branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has its own responsibilities and powers, which are designed to act as checks on one another. This structure ensures that no single branch can dominate or abuse power, thereby protecting individual liberties and maintaining a balance within the government.

Additionally, the concept of separation of powers is rooted in the belief that power must be distributed to prevent any one entity from becoming too powerful, which can lead to despotism or tyranny. By having distinct roles—such as law-making, enforcing laws, and interpreting laws—each branch functions independently while remaining accountable to the others, ultimately fostering a system of governance that encourages deliberation and limits excessive control.

While other options, such as federalism, also play a role in limiting government power by distributing authority between national and state governments, the fundamental structure specifically aimed at preventing tyranny is the separation of powers. Direct democracy does not ensure the same systematic checks and balances, and the social contract pertains more to the legitimacy of government than to its structural mechanisms against tyranny.